143 Jobs Announced

143 jobs are to be created in Belfast through an expansion of energy company SSE Airtricity.

The company currently employs 98 staff in two Belfast offices and is creating 143 additional call centre jobs. The new roles will be in the areas of customer service, sales and administrative support.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This investment represents further growth in Northern Ireland’s important business services sector, which already boasts a number of international companies that have been attracted here by the cost-competitive environment.

"The salaries for the 143 new jobs will generate an additional £2.7m a year for the economy and the investment confirms SSE Airtricity’s continuing commitment to Northern Ireland.

"Invest Northern Ireland has offered almost £700,000 of support for the jobs and associated training through its Skills Growth Programme and this was a key element in attracting the new jobs to Belfast. The proposed training includes recognised qualifications through City and Guilds and IICM, which will enhance the skills pool in Northern Ireland."

Stephen Wheeler, SSE Airtricity Managing Director, said: "We chose Northern Ireland because of the talented, youthful, enthusiastic and capable workforce that is available here and which has already played such a vital role in our business growth to date in Northern Ireland. The support of Invest NI will help us to continue to invest in developing our talent pool with both our existing workforce as well as for the new roles that we will create."

(IT/CD)