Empey urges graduates to 'C'Mon Over'
20 May 2008
There has never been a better time for graduates to explore Northern Ireland’s employment opportunities.
That was the message from the Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, in the run up to the next phase of the ‘C’mon Over’ campaign, which aims to encourage suitably skilled people to consider Northern Ireland as a place to live and work.
The Department for Employment and Learning, supported by software company Openwave, pharmaceuticals company Almac, telecoms company BT and financial services company Citi, will be in attendance at the Edinburgh and Glasgow University Graduate Recruitment Fairs, in late May, to showcase their graduate opportunities currently available in Northern Ireland.
Speaking in the run up to the fairs, Sir Reg said: “Northern Ireland has made huge strides forward in recent years. The progress which has been made politically and socially has been matched by expanding local companies and further inward investment. However the increase in the number of jobs being created coupled with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the UK, means that employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit people with the skills they need.”
With many of these jobs located in the communications, IT and science sectors, and too few choosing to study these subjects, employers are being forced to look outside Northern Ireland.
Highlighting the importance of recruiting suitably skilled graduates, Sir Reg continued: “Ensuring that these vacancies can be filled by people with specialist skills and qualifications is vital to ensuring Northern Ireland’s future success.”
As a means to highlight the ‘C’Mon Over’ initiative to its target age group, the Department has embraced the growing phenomena of social networking. As part of a pilot, the Department has established a ‘Northern Ireland’ page on Facebook which aims to encourage a dialogue between those people interested in moving to Northern Ireland, those people who already live there and those employers who have vacancies.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Department for Employment and Learning will be attending the Edinburgh Graduate Fair at Adam House, Edinburgh on Thursday 22 May 2008 and the Glasgow University Graduate Fair at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May 2008.
2. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
3. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.