04/04/2012
'There Is A Skills Shortage In NI' Says Lisburn Firm
A Lisburn company is to create 60 new jobs over the next three years as the result of a £3.5m investment but they have said a skills shortage means that may have to employ specialist engineers from overseas.
Kelvatek wants to hire 55 design engineers as part of its expansion plans but in a report with the BBC the company said it could not find them in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the broadcaster Kelvatek Chief Executive John Cunningham said it could not find the range of design engineers it needs in Northern Ireland.
"We find it virtually impossible to recruit at the moment on the design side," he added.
"There is a complete dearth of engineers and to support that we are being forced to open up design offices in other parts of the world - in Poland, Denmark, Italy, England and Scotland."
The company maintains there is a skills mismatch in Northern Ireland.
Minister Stephen Farry said:"There is an ongoing challenge in terms of trying to ensure we match supply with demand."
Kelvatek designs, manufactures and supplies a range of products to the power and rail industries. The company has been given £300,000 towards its expansion by Invest NI.
(LB)
Kelvatek wants to hire 55 design engineers as part of its expansion plans but in a report with the BBC the company said it could not find them in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the broadcaster Kelvatek Chief Executive John Cunningham said it could not find the range of design engineers it needs in Northern Ireland.
"We find it virtually impossible to recruit at the moment on the design side," he added.
"There is a complete dearth of engineers and to support that we are being forced to open up design offices in other parts of the world - in Poland, Denmark, Italy, England and Scotland."
The company maintains there is a skills mismatch in Northern Ireland.
Minister Stephen Farry said:"There is an ongoing challenge in terms of trying to ensure we match supply with demand."
Kelvatek designs, manufactures and supplies a range of products to the power and rail industries. The company has been given £300,000 towards its expansion by Invest NI.
(LB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.