An engineering company is to create 30 high quality jobs thanks to a major investment plan.
The Craigavon company, JW Kane Precision currently employs 55 staff and manufactures high precision machined components for a number of high profile clients including Bombardier, Thales, BE Aerospace, GE Hamble and Fokker.
It is investing £6.57million in a number of business development activities to advance its technical, management, finance, marketing and skills capabilities. Invest Northern Ireland has offered almost £900,000 of support, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Making the announcement Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said:
“In recent years JW Kane has become recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s foremost aerospace-focused precision engineering companies.
“This investment marks the next step on its journey to becoming part of the global aerospace supply chain.
“Aerospace is a rapidly growing industry and one that is a priority area for the economy. This project fits with the Northern Ireland Aerospace Strategy, which aims to move local companies up the supply chain by helping them build the capability required to undertake high value-added activities.”Â?
Chairman of JW Kane Precision Engineering, Jim Kane said: “This is a highly ambitious investment for the company aimed at substantially increasing our turnover and widening our customer base. With an improved manufacturing facility and highly trained staff we will be able to target top level aerospace manufacturers and be in a position to meet their exacting demands.”
Meanwhile Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has praised and encouraged the public sector’s contribution to helping the unemployed.
He has also welcomed the Department of the Environment’s commitment to offering work experience placement opportunities under the ‘Steps to Work’ programme. To date the Department has filled 100 work experience opportunities.
The Steps to Work programme offers a range of opportunities including work experience, training and employment to help participants find and sustain employment.
The Minister said: “My Department is committed to helping the unemployed find and sustain employment. Providing work experience opportunities in the public sector will improve participants’ employability and increase their chances of finding and sustaining employment. I have written to all Ministers and local Councils asking them to support the Steps to Work programme and Youth Employment Scheme by offering placement opportunities that will help in meeting our Economy and Jobs initiative.”
The placements provide high quality, relevant work experience for the unemployed and provide excellent preparation for future available job opportunities.
The Minister continued: “The Department of the Environment deserves praise for providing unemployed people the chance to sample the world of work, develop employability skills and gain work-related experience. I would encourage all public sector organisations to support this initiative.”