Construction BUSINESS

Jacobs announced 200 new jobs for Ireland over the coming two years, as it unveiled a €4.5 million investment in its office in Cork. The company, which provides end-to-end solutions for infrastructure, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, semi-conductor, data centres and manufacturing clients, plans to fill the positions in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

The new roles will be professional services positions across a range of specialities, project and construction management, design, commissioning, qualification and validation. The announcement reflects the success and continued growth of the company in Ireland, as it marks 45 years since opening its office in Dublin in 1974 – its first operation outside of the U.S.

Today, Jacobs employs more than 1,100 people on the island of Ireland, and it is one of the largest firms in the country, focusing primarily on project delivery for advanced facilities, environmental and infrastructure clients. Jacobs has almost doubled its Irish footprint in the past five years due to its growth in construction management, commissioning and validation.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, officially opened the new offices in Cork, cutting the ribbon alongside Jacobs Chair and CEO, Steve Demetriou. Speaking at the event, Minister Creed said: “I am happy to celebrate with Jacobs their 45 years of excellence in Ireland and open their newly refurbished office space. The announcement of 200 jobs, across the island of Ireland is testimony to their continued success and reflects the world-class expertise and offering they bring to national and global clients. It is wonderful to see the company go from strength to strength in Cork. I wish Jacobs continued growth and success.”

The Cork office investment includes state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality technology, offering clients the ability to assess plans in 3-D. A complete change of office layout reflects the business’ move to a collaborative working environment, in line with strategic team-based planning operations.

“We opened our Dublin, Ireland, office 45 years ago to design and build a pharmaceutical plant.” said Jacobs Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou. “Today, we continue to capture attractive growth opportunities for complex work in the advanced facilities and infrastructure markets that we are uniquely positioned to perform. I attribute this to our highly talented people and their relentless commitment to providing world-class, high-value solutions for our clients.”

Speaking about the jobs announcement, Executive Director of the IDA, Mary Buckley, said: “This is a very welcome investment from Jacobs, a company that is an important part of the support ecosystem for the biotechnology and biopharma sectors, among others. The Company has demonstrated a strong commitment to Cork where it is a valued employer whose longevity has been of substantial benefit to the local economy. This expansion, as they celebrate 45 years in business in Cork, demonstrates further commitment by the company. I wish them continued success.”

CAPTION:

Pictured at the official opening of the Cork office were (left to right): Niamh Barcoe, Design Technology Manager; Steve Demetriou, Chair and CEO, Jacobs; Micheál O’Connor, Vice President and General Manager, Jacobs Ireland; and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD.