What a difference a year has made to the outlook for job-seekers in Co Kilkenny. Just 11 months ago an independent study showed the level of inward investment in the county to be on a par with the most disadvantaged areas of the west and Border regions.
Written by Mr Kevin Bonner, the former secretary-general of the Department of Enterprise and Employment, the report, Investing in Kilkenny, pointed out that the city and county had not attracted a single technology company "of reasonable size" as a result of IDA Ireland's efforts to secure foreign investment.
Mr Bonner did point out, however, that Kilkenny had the potential to attract sustainable jobs in high-tech, "clean" industry. Since the publication of his report, potential has become reality.
Evidence of this will be seen over the next two days when the Kilkenny Industrial Development Company (KIDCo), which commissioned the Bonner study, holds a careers awareness event highlighting job opportunities.
Since April, Kilkenny city has welcomed a succession of major jobs announcements from the VHI, the Bank of Ireland, Deutsche Bank and a German software company, InFoScore. Some 500 jobs are expected to come on stream next year as a result, with that figure likely to increase significantly in the longer term.
"Careers @ Kilkenny 2001", tomorrow and Friday at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, will give people returning home for Christmas an opportunity to see what is on offer.
The major companies currently recruiting in the city will be joined at the event by representatives of a range of organisations such as Kilkenny County Enterprise Board, FAS, IDA Ireland and Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Fergus Cronin, chairman of KIDCo, a jobs promotion agency set up by Kilkenny businesses and local authorities, says that now is the time to do so for people who want to return home to live and work. "This event is an invitation to people, and a statement that the jobs are here for people who have been away and want to come home."
The event, he says, is an opportunity for employers to find out more about the skills on offer, and potential employees to see what jobs are available.
Kilkenny County Enterprise Board and FAS will be on hand to explain the type of support available for people interested in starting small or medium-sized enterprises.
"Careers @ Kilkenny 2001" takes place between noon and 6 p.m. tomorrow and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday
