Latest:

00:32 Sandra Bullock: I'm more picky now
00:32 Lester talks about Hustle ending
00:32 Holden 'euphoric' over BGT return
00:22 Bumped-up insurance claims 'surge'
00:22 Families 'set to lose tax credit'
00:22 Holden 'euphoric' over BGT return
00:22 Redknapp hits out at CPS over trial
00:22 Alexander urges tax relief reform

Campaign aims to lure ex-pats back for good

Wednesday, 23 December 2009

Highly skilled ex-pats returning to Northern Ireland for Christmas will be targeted in a careers campaign.

'Come Back to Your Future' will be focused on the local airports including Belfast International, George Best Belfast City and City of Derry.

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning, has welcomed the campaign. "Despite the current economic climate we still need to be working towards ensuring that Northern Ireland has the skilled workforce it needs for the future," he said. "With so many ex pats coming home for the festive season it is a good time for us to raise awareness of what Northern Ireland has to offer."

Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest Northern Ireland, said the new opportunities offered by the continued growth of key high value sectors,including financial services, business services, ICT and life sciences, illustrate the breadth and depth of career opportunities which Northern Ireland can offer talented and motivated people.

Ciaran Sheehan, managing partner of Clarendon Executive, which is running the campaign, said they hoped to persuade highly qualified professionals flying back to Northern Ireland for Christmas, to stay. "Political stability and positive news stories that the New York Stock Exchange is setting up a base in Belfast or that Citi has expanded its operation also make Northern Ireland a more attractive destination for ex-pats."

He added: "We are already aware of many positions from middle to senior management, suitable for professionals thinking of making the move in 2010."

The campaign is set to run tomorrow and Christmas Eve.

Print
Text Size
- Normal
- Large
- Extra Large

I moved back to Co Down after working in England to an engineering job here. Although my company has been quite fortunate to survive the recession thus far without job losses, I dont understand why people are taking such a doom and gloom outlook over people starting initiatives to help create jobs etc. What next? Criticise Microsoft for ONLY creating 100 jobs?

Posted by Peter McTasney | 29.01.10, 11:04 GMT

The reality is we need to grow a more entrepreneurial economy and build a much stronger private sector. And do do this we much support our local base by harnessing the international skills and experience of people who have contributed to building great companies.

Over the years we have successfully appointed many people from outside the Province who are now making great impacts and leading companies through new phases of growth and job creation. And I hope in 2010 that as a result of campaigns like this that we are in a position to help many aspiring businesses to identify the right talent in to help them achieve their growth ambitions.

Posted by Ciaran Sheehan | 29.01.10, 10:59 GMT

Er - yes, that's right mike...apparently our eductaion system is excellent as well although sometimes you'd wonder if it is all that it's cracked up to be...

Posted by Gerry | 31.12.09, 10:19 GMT

i think northern ireland has alot to offer if as most coments here reflect we need to target the unemployed and low paid workers to ge that raw talent out i agree we dont need banker or people in the finacial sector we need ict experts people with a an innovative business accumen and export those inventions made at home inward investment to bring forward that talent sadly we have to contend with an ongoing threat from a manority whpo wish to darken ni with there political idealogy which is making people leave our children deserve a storngwilled government to invest not export our talent which in my opinion is second to none in the world for innovation forward thinking and progressive growth in the areas of technology,science,and manufacturing iv travelled to many countries middle east europe and every where is products made in ni lets invest not export

Posted by mike | 24.12.09, 12:51 GMT

I am a 70 year old -- very successful International Manufacturing Turnaround Executive. A former Industrial ( Metal Manufacturing ) owner and still consulting.
What does NI have to offer me ?
Formerly from the Bangor area and Shorts employee -- the old boy networkk drove me out of NI 46 years ago. I doubt if anything has changed.
No regrets although I feel many sectors could benefit from the International Expertise of their expats.

Posted by Sam | 23.12.09, 22:28 GMT

"new opportunities offered by the continued growth of key high value sectors,including financial services, business services, ICT and life sciences"

thats all we need in NI more "bankers" and useless jobs created that dont produce anything.
why doesnt the government/ invest NI back already established busineses stop more redundancies, instead of creating financial and business services. No one will be able to use these services at the end of the day since they wont have any real jobs.

Posted by tango | 23.12.09, 14:54 GMT

It is quite idiotic to propose that people return to NI without presenting them with an available menu of employment and salaries. This is information that is generally available on the web.

Posted by Malachy McAnespie | 23.12.09, 14:44 GMT

I'm coming back tomorrow.

And then leaving again on the 29th.

It's bad enough to come from Northern Ireland - the very idea of living there makes me want to be sick!

Posted by Bob Sycamore | 23.12.09, 13:10 GMT