THE Northern Ireland jobs’ market received a boost this week with the announcement of 100 new jobs in Belfast.
The creation of the high quality software development jobs at Concentrix Technologies was announced by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster
Part of the international SYNNEX Corporation, Concentrix Technologies is a leader in the provision of advanced customer relationship management (CRM) software which is used globally to manage inbound sales and customer care, outbound business to business sales and prospecting, acquisition and lifecycle management.
Funding for the initiative has come from Invest Northern Ireland who have offered Concentrix Technologies £749,000 of support to secure the 100 job project.
Chris Caldwell, President, Concentrix Corporation said: “Our European operations service a fast growing, dynamic market so when looking for potential locations for our expansion, Northern Ireland was immediately one of our main options.
“The support provided by Invest NI, the strength of the ICT sector and the resources on offer make our decision an easy one. We have already commenced recruitment at a range of levels from graduate to highly experienced software professionals and hope to have the first 20 developers in place by January 2013.”
Concentrix Technologies’ Belfast operation will be based at Lanyon Place.
Arlene Foster said: “Having met with Concentrix during my recent trade and investment mission to San Francisco, I was able to hear precisely what the company’s plans were for Northern Ireland. I am pleased that this project has come to fruition so quickly and that such high quality jobs have been secured for local people.
“These jobs will deliver in excess of £4million annually in salaries. This is proof that Northern Ireland remains one of the most competitive in Europe for inward investors seeking talented people in a cost competitive location.”
In other news, over 70,000 people have benefited from learning and employment opportunities provided by European funding.
This was the message given at the recent Learning Network conference in the Great Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast.
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry provided the opening address.
The Minister said: “Northern Ireland has always placed great importance on our relationship as a region within the EU. Over the lifespan of the current European Social Fund, my Department is supporting 82 projects with an overall available budget of €166 million to assist disadvantaged groups to access training and employment opportunities.”
Referring to the conference theme, Squaring the Circle of Empowerment and Inclusion, the Minister concluded: “I share concerns regarding the pressing need to meet our commitments through the twin aims of Social inclusion and Empowerment, particularly to young unemployed people. The issue of youth unemployment is a problem for the whole of the European Community. My Department’s Youth Employment Scheme (YES) is a £31million package which aims to deliver 13,100 work experience and training opportunities over the next 3 years.”