A major new regional college and careers fair aimed at supporting students as they consider their future education and career pathways will be held at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
The inaugural IGC Midlands College & Careers Fair 2026 will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the International Arena on the TUS Athlone Campus.
Developed as a partnership between the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) Midlands Branch and TUS, the event has been created to help senior cycle students make informed decisions about their future education and career pathways.
The fair will bring together higher education institutions, further education and training providers, apprenticeship organisations, employers and industry representatives from across Ireland. Organisers hope the event will become an annual fixture within the Midlands education calendar.
The event will run from 9.15am to 2.45pm.
The exhibition-style event will allow students, school groups and guidance counsellors to engage directly with university representatives, education providers, apprenticeship organisations and employers.
School bookings are already being received from across the wider Midlands region, including counties Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Roscommon, Laois, Meath and Galway.
The debut event is expected to feature approximately 80 exhibitors from across Ireland.
Participating organisations engaged to date include TUS, University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, University of Galway, Dublin City University, University College Dublin, Atlantic Technological University, Queen’s University Belfast, Mary Immaculate College, Griffith College, CareersPortal, Studyclix, HSE Talent Attraction, Irish Tax Institute, Ericsson and Teagasc.
Additional exhibitors from higher education, further education and training, apprenticeship organisations and industry sectors are expected to join the line-up as registrations continue.
Orla Thornton, Director of Marketing & Communications, TUS Athlone, said:
“As a Technological University, TUS is deeply rooted in the regions and communities we serve, and the IGC Midlands College & Careers Fair reflects that commitment to regional access and opportunity. Events of this scale have traditionally required students, parents and guidance counsellors to travel to larger urban centres, particularly Dublin, to access a broad range of education and career information. Through this partnership with the IGC Midlands Branch, we are proud to help bring that opportunity directly to the Midlands.
“The pathways available to students today are more diverse than ever before, spanning higher education, further education, apprenticeships and industry-led routes. This event is about supporting informed decision-making and ensuring students can explore the full range of opportunities available to them within one accessible and inclusive environment.
“Guidance counsellors play a hugely important role in supporting students as they consider their next steps, and we hope this event will become an important annual resource for schools and families across the region.”
Claire Kenny, Chairperson of the Midlands Institute of Guidance Counsellors, said:
“The Midlands IGC College and Careers Fair 2026 is about bringing meaningful opportunities directly to the doorstep of our Midlands students in TUS Athlone. By making this a free event, we are ensuring it is inclusive and accessible, giving every student equal access to vital information, guidance, and future pathways.”
Claire McConn, Secretary of the Midlands Institute of Guidance Counsellors, said: “We are delighted to launch the inaugural IGC Midlands College and Careers Fair in partnership with TUS. This event provides students from across the region and beyond with valuable access to a diverse range of exhibitors, empowering them to make well-informed, confident decisions about their educational and career pathways.”