FORTY FIVE JOBS for graduates are to be made available under a new initiative.
The scheme is being launched today in the RDS Dublin at the gradireland Summer Fair, and the 45 graduate jobs will be in 45 SMEs.
The jobs are being made available under the ASPIRE Programme, which is part-financed by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
ASPIRE is a cross-border micro business and graduate development programme.
The jobs
Businesses participating in ASPIRE cover a range of sectors including health sciences, recruitment, engineering, digital media, IT development, finance and technology.
All businesses are located across the east border region council areas of Armagh, Ards, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Louth, Monaghan, Newry and Mourne, and North Down.
Chairman of the East Border Region, councillor Gerald Mallon, welcomed the jobs boost provided by the ASPIRE Programme, and said that it is much-needed.
One of the companies involved with ASPIRE is STATsports Technologies in Dundalk, which plans to enter the US market with the assistance of an ASPIRE graduate. Their CEO Sean O’Connor explained more:
Once appointed, our ASPIRE graduate will have the opportunity to gain direct experience in international marketing while working alongside some of the leading brands in sport and media.
In Banbridge, REI Services Ltd, there are plans to recruit a graduate to lead their marketing strategy for a new biomass product. REI director Colm McKeever said they have a structured and planned programme of work already in place.
Sharon Daly, ASPIRE programme co-ordinator, said that the programme addresses two key economic issues.
“Firstly, for businesses, ASPIRE represents a unique opportunity to utilise the skills of graduates on high level projects designed to increase sales, productivity, exports and job creation,” she said.
On the other hand, ASPIRE offers employment opportunities to graduates who are seeking employment with forward-thinking local companies thus retaining graduate skills in the local area and addressing issues of unemployment and under-employment among graduates.
Interested graduates can meet the ASPIRE team at the gradireland Summer Fair in the RDS, Dublin today. Details on all ASPIRE vacancies will be available, and all 45 vacancies have a closing date of 28 June 2013. See www.gradireland.com/summerfair for details.
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