Ireland turns corner as thousands of high-end, high-tech jobs on offer at Career Zoo
The extent of the country’s economic recovery has been highlighted by Career Zoo – Ireland’s keynote careers event – where thousands of high-end, high skilled positions will be on offer in multinationals and indigenous firms.
Career Zoo, takes place on Saturday February 15th in the Convention Centre where the world’s most innovative companies and educators will meet Ireland’s brightest talents. The event is a ‘must’ for experienced professionals and graduates in engineering, financial services, tech, science, and pharma.
Major multinational employers in attendance will include Kerry Group, TripAdvisor, Symantec, AOL, Fidelity Investments, Johnson & Johnson, Pramerica, SIG (Susquehanna International Group) and State Street.
Also in attendance are leading organisations and top educations providers including: TCD School of Business, Science Foundation Ireland, Digital Skills Academy, Skillnets, NDRC and DIT.
GREAT SCOTT! Pictured at the launch of Career Zoo with the DeLorean from Back To The Future are (l-r) Josephine Austin, HR Manager, Ocuco, Dr Jim Quinn, Head of Trinity School of Business, Sharon Burke, HR Manager, CR2, Sharon Corbett, Head of Recruitment, Kerry Group, Anne Lanigan, Senior Development Adviser, Enterprise Ireland
For the first time ‘Tech Town’ will feature at Career Zoo. This is a dedicated space to showcase Irish technology and the unique career opportunities this industry has to offer.
Launching the event, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said:
“At the heart of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is supporting the accelerating transition from the old economy based on property to the new economy based on enterprise. While we have a long way to go there are real reasons to be positive about the employment prospects, with 1200 jobs now being created every week in the private sector.
“Career Zoo is an important event which brings together the companies who have vacancies with the skilled professionals who can fill those roles. I wish every success to those involved and hope that the event can be the start of a new phase for businesses and job-seekers alike”.
Director at Career Zoo, Brian O’Hoisin, highlighted the benefit of the event:
“Ireland has changed for the better and Career Zoo is keeping pace by providing a unique approach to career building and networking. We provide a space for graduates and professionals to meet innovative companies at the top of their field with thousands of jobs on offer.
“The nature of the country’s progress is highlighted by our new ‘Tech Town’ which will showcase Irish technology and the unique career opportunities this industry has to offer. IT’s Happening Here (an Enterprise Ireland initiative with Irish tech firms) and its member companies will be a key element of Tech Town where they will highlight innovative Irish companies in the tech sector and their game changing technologies.
“However, Career Zoo offers something for all graduates and professionals who wish to develop their career. Entrance is free and visitors will be able to:
• Attend exciting and informative career workshops and seminars by industry leaders;
• Talk to top course providers about professional courses, upskilling and conversion programmes (some of which lead to full time jobs);
• Get one-to-one advice at the Career Clinic;
• Check out ‘Tech Box’ which will host a schedule of tech activities on the day.”
Key Exhibitors
Kerry Group, the Irish food giant continues to recruit for its Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Naas, County Kildare.
“With over 24,000 employees worldwide and supplying over 15,000 ingredients and flavours to some of the world’s biggest food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies, Kerry is continually looking for passionate, talented professionals and graduates to join our team” said Sharon Corbett, Head of Recruitment, Kerry.
“Our €100 million investment in the new Global Technology and Innovation Centre for the EMEA Region in Naas will bring significant career development opportunities across a wide range of disciplines including scientific research, product development, technology and finance.”
Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland said, “Career Zoo is an excellent example of how vibrant the career opportunities are in Ireland right now for professionals and graduates with a scientific or engineering qualification. There are currently a range of very exciting positions available at the SFI Research Centres throughout the country. These include PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, research assistants and technicians. SFI is looking forward to engaging with attendees at this year’s Career Zoo and helping to showcase the diverse and exciting opportunities which a career in science or engineering in Ireland can provide.”
Professor Jim Quinn of the Trinity College Dublin, School of Business added:
“We are very excited to be the education sponsor for the February Career Zoo event. In 2014 the School will be celebrating 50 years of the Trinity MBA. As one of the first MBA programmes in Europe, our highly reputable Trinity MBA is positioned as a niche international programme attracting students from all over the world. Our focus is based on working collaboratively with students, businesses and faculty to forge a cohort of exceptional leaders, while also contributing positively to the business environment and the wider community. Every element of our programme is designed to stimulate students’ imagination, initiative and sense of innovation. It is also geared to focus their minds on sustainability.”
Anne Lanigan, from the software division of Enterprise Ireland and Head of the IT’s Happening Here programme said:
“Ireland is fast gaining a reputation as a global centre for software and IT. This is due in no small measure to the level of innovation and creativity delivered by Irish technology companies. This industry is growing in double-digit figures since 2010 and offers loads of exciting opportunities for graduates and experienced professionals looking for an exciting career opportunity.
“This is our third time to participate in Career Zoo which has consistently delivered for IT’s Happening Here companies in terms of great hires. This year’s event is an opportunity to demonstrate the unique culture of this indigenous industry and attract bright, creative, motivated techies who are looking for a fast paced and challenging environment to use and build on their skills.”
Everything at Career Zoo will be free of charge, however attendees are advised to register online at www.careerzoo.ie to gain faster entry.
Career Zoo takes place in The Convention Centre Dublin on Saturday 15th February for one day only from 10am–5pm. Further details at www.careerzoo.ie