A government apprentice scheme has helped a Co Down firm almost double its workforce and more than treble its turnover in just three years, according to the latest figures.
The MJM Group, a specialist joinery sub-contractor, now plans to expand its workforce in 2012 having secured a €5million refurbishment contract for a Scandinavian ferry operator.
As a result, the company now plans to take on further staff, both at graduate and shop floor level. MJM Group is based in Newry with offices in London, France and Poland servicing markets in UK, Europe, USA, the Far East and Australia. Current contracts and future growth plans for the company means they are seeking talent from a range of disciplines from CAD designers to procurement specialists, quantity surveyors to contracts managers.
MJM Managing Director Jonathan Guest said: “We are delighted that our strategy of becoming the leading contractor within the cruise ferry market in Europe is paying dividends. Our reputation and capacity for carrying out the highest quality work in very short lead-times is a credit to all our employees in MJM.”
During a recent visit to the plant Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has praised Newry firm MJM Group’s recent success.
He said: “The hard work that MJM have put into securing and delivering these recent contracts has positioned them as a major global contractor in the cruise ferry market. This has meant they have grown their staff from 74 to 118 and have more than trebled their turnover to over £30million in just the last three years. They have invested heavily in their workforce development to enable them to take on larger and more complex projects.
“I particularly point to the company’s use of my Department’s ApprenticeshipsNI programme which has allowed delivery of high quality training to ensure that MJM maintains competitive advantage in the current economic climate. Their success clearly demonstrates the ability of Northern Ireland-based companies to be competitive in international markets.
“My Department is ideally placed to help this company meet its recruitment needs. We have a team of Employer Contact Managers (ECMs), based in local areas and with local knowledge, who can steer the company every step of the way to get the right people into the right jobs.
“Our ECMs can help employers advertise, help with the organisation of interviews including if necessary providing premises for the interviews themselves, and administration following the interviews. They can also advise on possible financial support, training available to upskill employees, and provide ongoing service to meet any future recruitment and training needs.”