High-Tech Jobs Boost For Derry

There is further good news regarding jobs today as the Stormont Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster (pictured) welcomed a high-tech firm's plans to expand its Londonderry R&D centre.

InVision Software's employment boost comes in the same week as it was revealed that some 50 jobs are to be created at a Criagavon medical equipment manufacturer Lir-Med over the next two years.

Today, Minister Foster said that support from Invest Northern Ireland had helped to encourage InVision Software Ltd, a subsidiary of German firm InVision Software AG, to commit itself to the creation of 30 high quality software development, customer support and documentation jobs by 2012.

She explained that Invest Northern Ireland has offered £251,000 of support towards the project.

Visiting the company's Northland Road premises, the Minister said: "InVision is precisely the type of innovative company that we are targeting for investment and reinvestment, with its specialised development activities in the IT sector and its commitment to providing high quality career opportunities.

"I congratulate the company on having already recruited 10 of the 30 new staff.

"InVision's long term plans to further expand its R&D centre here are yet another welcome boost to our work in developing a strong knowledge based economy.

"It is a solid endorsement of this region's ability to offer the right mix of infrastructure, skills and support to attract and retain quality investment," she said.

Stephen Williams, Operations Director of lnVision Software Ltd added: "We are delighted to be able to continue our successful cooperation with Invest Northern Ireland.

"Since the founding of our R&D centre in Derry in 2001, we have created more than 40 jobs in the regio and in the long run we are planning to bring total employment to 60 by 2012.

"The strong performance of this centre combined with a sound skills base and Invest Northern Ireland support makes it an appropriate location for InVision’s R&D capability.

"In the current climate, our products are rapidly increasing in demand as more firms seek to reduce personnel costs, increase productivity and boost revenue.

"With many customers realising just how vital effective workforce management can be in reducing costs, demand for our unique portfolio of products has soared, particularly in Europe and the US," he explained.

(BMcC/JM)