Great news for Cork and Munster today with the announcement of an IDA backed investment by Pfizer. Read more about this jobs news.
Microprint announced the closure of its plant in Tallaght with the loss of 130 jobs. Jacobs announced job losses of 230 in Tallaght last month so this is a double blow to the region.
On the positive side Teva Pharmaceutical announced the creation of 165 jobs at its Waterford site. They currently employ 650 in Waterford.
It seems that most manufacturing is heading for the exit door except in the Pharmaceutical sector. Having said this it has not been all roses for the sector. In 2007 Pfizer announce job cutting but a bigger blow was the postponement of the Amgen investment indefinitely.
I would still say that the Pharmaceutical sector is still one of the safe bets for jobseekers in Ireland. However who knows they way things are changing in this country.
I wrote yesterday about the great news released that PAYE workers had reclaimed 1.5bn in tax over the last 4 years BUT guess what!! Abuse and health scandals have just wiped this out. When you sit the cost of the Tribunals on top of this we are actually worse off.
So any good jobs news stories today?
FINANCIAL SERVICES – Cork was once known for its strong Pharmaceutical Sector (and GAA strikes) BUT now it seems that it is building its own little IFSC. Citco has announced that it is creating 150 new jobs. The company already employs 145 in Cork. The majority of the new roles will require 3rd level business/accountancy. Ireland is now has over 40 companies employing over 9000 staff in the funds administration sector.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) - More than half of senior technology executives are confident about the sector in 2008. Many see increases in employment in the sector. Over half believe that it is getting difficult to recruit IT staff.
The Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical sectors are huge in Ireland and growing. I posted previously about Elan and the sector. I recieved an email enquiring how to get additional information about the sector and how to locate the key companies in the sector. (Its ok I will send your CV and attend your interviews too).
Biotechnology Ireland – This site has good information on the sector including latest news and announcements. The site also has a directory list the Biotech employers in Ireland. So if your are keen to secure work in the Biotech sector this site could prove a valuable resource.
Alternatively there are the online jobboards and recruitment agencies.
When you are changing jobs do you care about corporate social responsibility? Do you analyse a potential employer’s stance on the environment or impact on the environment? According to one Sunday paper we now consider this as an important factor when making career decisions. We are attracted to and choose organisations that look after mother earth.
I have been working with jobseekers for years, individuals starting out on their career to those at various rungs of the corporate ladder. I have never had this discussion. Ok – one time a girl indicated that she did not want to work in the pharmaceutical sector as she was against animal testing. Many (myself included) pay lip service to the subject. We talk the talk but do we always walk the walk. Do I unplug every plug before I go to bed at night? Have I ever put a milk carton in the black bin when the blue bin was beside it? Do I drive to the local shop when it is 10 minutes walk away? At the end of the day for most the decision to take employment will normally be based around money and package or work life balance factors such as location. Corporate social responsibility is a “would be nice” factor but certainly not an “essential” factor.
On another point, do organisations really care? Call me a cynic but is it not all about the dollar. I sometimes think that organisations spend more on PR to get the message out that they care than they actually spend on helping the environment. Do companies want to be seen to care or do the actually care?
Jobs in Ireland