The biggest recruitment fair in the Mid-West opens in Limerick this morning with companies and job agencies looking to fill 3,000 vacancies in areas including information technology, telecommunications and engineering.
Mr Pat Daly, Shannon Development's regional development manager in Limerick, said there were growing opportunities in the region's e-commerce sector. He said the Mid-West was becoming
the Silicon Valley of Ireland. More than 20 companies will have stands today and tomorrow at City Hall in the Expo Limerick 2000 fair.
Mr Dermot O'Gorman, a consultant with Marlborough Recruitment, said there were more than 1,200 vacancies on the company's books across all areas. Software engineering was probably experiencing the greatest growth at the moment, but it was not the only area that presented opportunities. "There has been a huge growth in the hospitality industry. There is growth in hotels, plus staff are moving on. We are bringing in staff from overseas," he said.
The fair will also feature an "Invest in Innovation" seminar, run by ShannonSoft, and a "Matchmaker - Public Buyers' Forum", examining how to do business with the public sector. "The event will identify potential business matchmakers and recognise procurement in the private sector," said Mr Brendan Woods, Limerick Chamber of Commerce's chief executive.
