Hundreds of people of all ages and nationalities flocked to a packed RDS in Dublin yesterday where exhibitors from all over the world outlined how they could escape the current recession by emigrating from Ireland.

The 2009 Working Abroad Expo featured more than 40 specialist exhibitors from government bodies, recruitment agencies and migration officials.

They provided attendees with information on how to make the move to countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Russia, China and the Middle East region.

Among the visitors to the expo was Gillian Doody from Bray, who is due to finish her degree in commerce and German at UCD in May. She told the Sunday Tribune the employment prospects for herself and her classmates have altered significantly since she first enrolled on her course. She is now contemplating moving to Australia in search of work.

"Even last year it wasn't the same situation, it was like, 'Ah yeah, I'll be grand.' But that's definitely changed," she said. "I think if people want to move abroad they will do it. But others want to stay at home. I think they'll find it tough, though."

By far the longest queues at yesterday's event were for countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with lines stretching around the corner of other stalls.

Bogdan Kostyszyn, originally from Warsaw but living in Ireland for four years, was fresh from speaking to officials at the Australian information stand.

A site foreman by trade, work in the construction sector had dried up for him around three months ago prompting him to travel from Waterford to attend yesterday's expo.

"I've just given my application to them to check if I am eligible to go to Australia or New Zealand," he said. "I'd go anywhere to be honest, I'm keeping my options open. I've had no job for three months, and it's difficult you know. Now I have money from social welfare, but I don't want this money, I want to work.

"I would prefer to go to Canada, but I'll go wherever I have to get a good job and life. If I had a choice, yes of course I'd stay here in Ireland. My kids speak better English than Polish. I really like Ireland but there are no jobs for me here."

According to Dawn Martin, who was helping to oversee the 'Health careers in Saskatchewan' stand, it had received a lot of enquiries about nursing jobs in the western Canadian province within a few hours of the expo opening.

"Saskatchewan is still booming. We've a very, very reasonable cost of living and excellent work-life balance. And that is a message that appeals to a lot of people, especially in the current downturn," she said.

"Career fairs are a bit of a vague science. People have to weigh up the benefits against their own family situation, and what they have here. We just want to let them know what's available if they choose to move."

Nearby, a construction worker whose partner was busy filling out the visa application forms for Canada for himself and their two young children, would speak only on the condition of anonymity.

"There's no work at all, it's dried up completely. I'm getting bits and bobs here and there, but it's not enough to pay the mortgage and feed the kids," he said. "We don't want to leave, we'd rather stay here. But we could stay here and lose everything we've worked for, or try to start a new life in Canada. If nothing changes in the next six to nine months, then that's what we're going to have to do."

The expo continues at the RDS today.