Menu
19/06/2002
Nortel taskforce proposed to counteract jobs losses
A new move aimed at building success out of the predicted loss of more than 100 jobs in Nortel’s Northern Ireland operations has been put forward by an East Antrim Assembly member.
UUP MLA Ken Robinson has proposed that a special taskforce should be established to grow new companies based on the scientific, research and development skills possessed by the highly qualified and talented workforce.
Mr. Robinson said: “We need to have people like those involved in QUBIS at Queen’s University which grew successful commercial business out of scientific know-how at the University. Such a taskforce could create economic opportunity from this bad news.
“The loss of over 100 highly skilled jobs reinforces what I have been highlighting for some time now - that east Antrim is remarkable in that it has this extremely high number of highly qualified research and development staff who are suffering because of the downsizing of the global economy.
“I believe this situation would have been far worse if it had not been for the efforts of the Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey, who I know has been in negotiation with the company which has made no secret of its intention of selling and re-sizing some of its businesses.”
Mr. Robinson added: “I took note of the fact that Nortel admitted its Monkstown plant was working on developing new products and this has probably been a limiting factor in the job losses but it does bare out the economic potential for Northern Ireland which lies in the skills and expertise of this workforce.
“At the end of the day this is a nettle we have to grasp. It is better for us to build locally resourced, locally based businesses which operate on a world stage and to world class than it is to rely on outside multi nationals.
“These multi nationals are governed by imperatives that often have little or nothing to do with Northern Ireland but have more to do with the shape of their business.
“I have no doubt that an economic taskforce pooling the cream of research and development talent and focusing it into business channels is the best way forward.”
(GB)
UUP MLA Ken Robinson has proposed that a special taskforce should be established to grow new companies based on the scientific, research and development skills possessed by the highly qualified and talented workforce.
Mr. Robinson said: “We need to have people like those involved in QUBIS at Queen’s University which grew successful commercial business out of scientific know-how at the University. Such a taskforce could create economic opportunity from this bad news.
“The loss of over 100 highly skilled jobs reinforces what I have been highlighting for some time now - that east Antrim is remarkable in that it has this extremely high number of highly qualified research and development staff who are suffering because of the downsizing of the global economy.
“I believe this situation would have been far worse if it had not been for the efforts of the Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey, who I know has been in negotiation with the company which has made no secret of its intention of selling and re-sizing some of its businesses.”
Mr. Robinson added: “I took note of the fact that Nortel admitted its Monkstown plant was working on developing new products and this has probably been a limiting factor in the job losses but it does bare out the economic potential for Northern Ireland which lies in the skills and expertise of this workforce.
“At the end of the day this is a nettle we have to grasp. It is better for us to build locally resourced, locally based businesses which operate on a world stage and to world class than it is to rely on outside multi nationals.
“These multi nationals are governed by imperatives that often have little or nothing to do with Northern Ireland but have more to do with the shape of their business.
“I have no doubt that an economic taskforce pooling the cream of research and development talent and focusing it into business channels is the best way forward.”
(GB)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 June 2013
Almac To Create 229 New Jobs In Craigavon
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Almac Pharma Services is to create 229 new jobs in Craigavon as part of a £13.7million investment. Almac provides highly specialised drug development and manufacturing contract services to international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The £13.
Almac To Create 229 New Jobs In Craigavon
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Almac Pharma Services is to create 229 new jobs in Craigavon as part of a £13.7million investment. Almac provides highly specialised drug development and manufacturing contract services to international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The £13.
23 March 2004
Easyjet expansion to create 200 jobs
Up to 200 new jobs are set to be created following an announcement that easyjet is to introduce four new routes from Belfast International Airport to Europe.
Easyjet expansion to create 200 jobs
Up to 200 new jobs are set to be created following an announcement that easyjet is to introduce four new routes from Belfast International Airport to Europe.
10 February 2015
Purepipe To Invest £250,000 And Create Six New Jobs
Belfast-based Purepipe is investing £250,000 and creating six new jobs as part of plans to boost sales in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland has offered the company £45,000 towards its expansion which involves investing in new state-of-the-art specialised pipe manufacturing equipment needed to target new business.
Purepipe To Invest £250,000 And Create Six New Jobs
Belfast-based Purepipe is investing £250,000 and creating six new jobs as part of plans to boost sales in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland has offered the company £45,000 towards its expansion which involves investing in new state-of-the-art specialised pipe manufacturing equipment needed to target new business.
18 April 2002
Tánaiste announces 60 new jobs in Cork
Tánaiste Mary Harney has announced that US company, Dow Corning Corporation is to establish its first Plasma R&D Centre in Middleton, County Cork, creating 60 new jobs over the next five years. The Tánaiste made the announcement at a meeting with the company in Cork where it was revealed that the investment will total € 3.3 million in 2002.
Tánaiste announces 60 new jobs in Cork
Tánaiste Mary Harney has announced that US company, Dow Corning Corporation is to establish its first Plasma R&D Centre in Middleton, County Cork, creating 60 new jobs over the next five years. The Tánaiste made the announcement at a meeting with the company in Cork where it was revealed that the investment will total € 3.3 million in 2002.
19 May 2015
ER Media To Create Seven New Jobs
ER Media in Banbridge is investing almost £400,000 and creating seven new jobs as part of plans to grow its global sales via its e-commerce printing web sites Need A Print and Pixa Prints.
ER Media To Create Seven New Jobs
ER Media in Banbridge is investing almost £400,000 and creating seven new jobs as part of plans to grow its global sales via its e-commerce printing web sites Need A Print and Pixa Prints.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
