Cork celebrates more new jobs for the county through the ConnectIreland initiative
Michael Flatley and Cork Airport are today toasting more new jobs for the city, bringing to 164 the number of new positions created in Cork through the ConnectIreland initiative, which is on target for 1,000 jobs in communities across Ireland.
Mr Flatley says ConnectIreland is working towards bringing hundreds more jobs to Cork and the wider Munster region over the next 3 years with the help of Cork Airport and the people of Cork who have already gotten behind this initiative. He thanked the people of Cork for their contribution and for “keeping their eyes and ears open for Ireland”.
The world-renowned Irish American today (Wednesday, June 11) officially launched Cork Airport’s ConnectIreland marketing and information initiative which is already helping bring even more jobs to the region.
Through the ConnectIreland initiative, any person who learns of a company expanding abroad; lets ConnectIreland know and the jobs are secured for Ireland, is paid a reward of up to €1,500 per job. As a result of Michael Flatley’s ambassadorship of ConnectIreland and the tireless efforts of its global network of ‘connectors’, 164 families in Cork now have a brighter future.
The latest ConnectIreland jobs announcement sees Skellig Automation set up in Cork and providing 8 new posts in the city. Skellig, a control systems engineering services company, requires experienced and graduate engineers for its new operation. The Magni Group is currently recruiting for 50 new positions in Mallow.
ConnectIreland continues to go from strength to strength and is fast approaching its 1,000 new jobs for Ireland milestone with the help of the people of Ireland both at home and abroad and with their partners in the IDA.
Michael Flatley paid tribute to the many successful ‘connectors’, to all involved in the campaign in Cork Airport, at the other airports and on a global basis over the past two years.
“The ConnectIreland initiative is for everyone, not just CEO’s or CFO’s. We all know someone living and working abroad. They could be working in an expanding company. Get on the phone; get on the net and ask your contacts, Do you know an expanding company?”
“Ireland has such a global appeal. We really are the midway house between Europe and America. We are perfectly positioned to attract these expanding companies to Ireland. Just let ConnectIreland know and they will do the rest.”
Confirming the new jobs for Cork and ConnectIreland’s success in the region to date, Cork-based Agriculture, Marine and Food Minister Simon Coveney said the ConnectIreland campaign at the airport is already working. Hundreds of new ‘connectors’ are signing up weekly and are on the look-out for jobs projects for Ireland.
“Cork Airport is the main artery in and out of the wider Munster region and the major campaign launched here just weeks ago is already reaping rewards. ConnectIreland is already working hand in hand with the IDA, under the Succeed in Ireland initiative, to follow up on dozens of leads already generated through their work in Cork Airport.
I look forward to seeing these projects result in jobs for Cork and for Munster over the coming months,” the Minister added.
Every person who passed on information to ConnectIreland that results in jobs here earns a reward of up to €1,500 per job – up to a maximum of 100 jobs.
Speaking at the launch, Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director of Cork Airport said: “Cork Airport is delighted to support ConnectIreland in creating jobs and driving economic growth back to the Munster region.
Cork Airport is very important in terms of connectivity for the business and the multi-national sectors in Munster and has a vital role to play in facilitating and developing inbound job creation in the region.
“Cork Airport is the second busiest airport in the country, with 2.2 million passengers, more than 50 routes to destinations in Britain and continental Europe and direct connectivity to the major European hubs of London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
We would urge all passengers flying from Cork Airport to think of any contacts that they have abroad that could help to drive job creation and growth at home.”
ConnectIreland COO, Joanna Murphy, said negotiations with several major companies are at an advanced stage and added that a number of significant jobs announcements are imminent for both the Munster region and beyond.
“We are delighted to have Cork Airport on board and are very thankful to the entire staff and management at the airport for their enthusiasm and support,” she said.
* To register or to find out more about Connect Ireland, log on to www.connectireland.com
