Menu
25/02/2009
Boost For NI Employment As Gem Expands
There was some good news this week as NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster welcomed a substantial number of new jobs in an established call centre organisation.
Gem, which currently employs 1,000 people, will fill an anticipated 900 new posts by 2012.
The company already provides a range of multi-channel, multi-lingual support services across three existing sites - Lanyon Place and East Bridge Street in Belfast and at Claremont International Business Centre in Londonderry.
But the additional jobs, aided by a £5.5m contribution from Invest NI, are to be created in other locations.
The move is expected to generate £14m in annual salaries with Invest NI offering £5.5m of support toward the investment.
Welcoming the announcement, the Minister said: "Once again, this region's cost competitiveness and strong talent pool has resulted in a major investment by an internationally successful firm.
"Gem will provide career progression opportunities coupled with the further development of professional, transferable skills.
"This is a great boost for NI at a time where the global economy continues to impact on local businesses and when many companies are deferring investment plans.
"It will see gem double its workforce to 1,800 and competitively position the company as it prepares to take full advantage of global opportunities as they arise," she said.
Meanwhile, NI Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, separately announced that people participating in government employment and training programmes will soon be eligible for higher levels of assistance towards childcare costs.
This new initiative comes into effect in April and will be made available to lone parents and partners of certain benefit claimants participating on the Department for Employment and Learning's Steps to Work, Training for Success and Pathways to Work Preparation programmes.
The Minister said: "Assistance towards the cost of childcare is an important factor in many lone parents and partners decisions to take part in employment and training programmes.
"This increase in the level of assistance will greatly help those with childcare responsibilities to join programmes such as Steps to Work, which will provide participants with the skills to find and sustain employment."
(BMcC/JM)
Gem, which currently employs 1,000 people, will fill an anticipated 900 new posts by 2012.
The company already provides a range of multi-channel, multi-lingual support services across three existing sites - Lanyon Place and East Bridge Street in Belfast and at Claremont International Business Centre in Londonderry.
But the additional jobs, aided by a £5.5m contribution from Invest NI, are to be created in other locations.
The move is expected to generate £14m in annual salaries with Invest NI offering £5.5m of support toward the investment.
Welcoming the announcement, the Minister said: "Once again, this region's cost competitiveness and strong talent pool has resulted in a major investment by an internationally successful firm.
"Gem will provide career progression opportunities coupled with the further development of professional, transferable skills.
"This is a great boost for NI at a time where the global economy continues to impact on local businesses and when many companies are deferring investment plans.
"It will see gem double its workforce to 1,800 and competitively position the company as it prepares to take full advantage of global opportunities as they arise," she said.
Meanwhile, NI Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, separately announced that people participating in government employment and training programmes will soon be eligible for higher levels of assistance towards childcare costs.
This new initiative comes into effect in April and will be made available to lone parents and partners of certain benefit claimants participating on the Department for Employment and Learning's Steps to Work, Training for Success and Pathways to Work Preparation programmes.
The Minister said: "Assistance towards the cost of childcare is an important factor in many lone parents and partners decisions to take part in employment and training programmes.
"This increase in the level of assistance will greatly help those with childcare responsibilities to join programmes such as Steps to Work, which will provide participants with the skills to find and sustain employment."
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 July 2012
Consultation On New Employment Programme Launched
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today launched a public consultation on a proposed new employment programme for Northern Ireland. The new programme, which has been called provisionally Steps 2 Success (NI), will replace the Department’s main adult return to work provision, Steps to Work, which was introduced in September 2008.
Consultation On New Employment Programme Launched
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry today launched a public consultation on a proposed new employment programme for Northern Ireland. The new programme, which has been called provisionally Steps 2 Success (NI), will replace the Department’s main adult return to work provision, Steps to Work, which was introduced in September 2008.
18 April 2013
JobBridge Is A Pathway To Full-Time Employment – Coffey
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that the JobBridge internship scheme is a clear and dependable pathway to full-time employment, which has seen 36 per cent of intern graduates in Waterford moving directly into employment, while 61 per cent of interns nationally have secured employment five months after graduating from the scheme.
JobBridge Is A Pathway To Full-Time Employment – Coffey
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that the JobBridge internship scheme is a clear and dependable pathway to full-time employment, which has seen 36 per cent of intern graduates in Waterford moving directly into employment, while 61 per cent of interns nationally have secured employment five months after graduating from the scheme.
26 October 2012
Dáil Debate On Cuts To Employment Schemes In Co Galway
Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt raised a special debate in the Dáil on the damaging cuts to Community Employment (CE) Schemes across Co Galway and unnecessary restrictions on a range of other employment initiatives.
Dáil Debate On Cuts To Employment Schemes In Co Galway
Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt raised a special debate in the Dáil on the damaging cuts to Community Employment (CE) Schemes across Co Galway and unnecessary restrictions on a range of other employment initiatives.
09 February 2012
SF Warns Of Impact Of Community Employment Cuts
Sinn Féin President and Louth TD Gerry Adams has warned that the government's planned cuts to the Community Employment scheme will have a "grievous impact on many community based projects and services across the state".
SF Warns Of Impact Of Community Employment Cuts
Sinn Féin President and Louth TD Gerry Adams has warned that the government's planned cuts to the Community Employment scheme will have a "grievous impact on many community based projects and services across the state".
19 October 2017
Statutory Pay For Construction Sector Fixed With New Law
Ireland's Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Pat Breen, has signed into law an Order fixing statutory minimum pay, pension and sick pay entitlements for craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices employed in the construction Sector.
Statutory Pay For Construction Sector Fixed With New Law
Ireland's Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Pat Breen, has signed into law an Order fixing statutory minimum pay, pension and sick pay entitlements for craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices employed in the construction Sector.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A windy night with gales in the north, showers die back to western parts from the evening, leaving much of the night dry with clear spells. Blustery showers spread east again towards morning. Gales ease somewhat by dawn Minimum temperature 2 °C.
