IT Sligo’s growing reputation as a regional hub for entrepreneurship and innovation made it a fitting venue for the Government’s launch of the North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs on Monday.
The regional jobs strategy was announced by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. at the Institute, and aims to deliver 10-15% employment growth in the region over the coming years.
This amounts to a target of 28,000 additional jobs in the region by 2020.
The North East/North West Plan covers counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. Key sectors targeted as part of the plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region such as manufacturing/engineering, agri-food and tourism as well as areas targeted for future growth like digital payments, cleantech and creative services.
“The North East/North West is a region which had historic problems with unemployment, but over recent years, thanks to the ingenuity of its workers and businesses, it has performed extemely strongly,” said Minister Bruton.
“That is why we have put in place the € 250 million regional jobs strategy, to support regions to play to their strengths and accelerate jobs growth in every area,” he said.
“By continuing the collaborative approach right across the region, we can deliver 28,000 extra jobs over the coming years. This would be 28,000 extra pay packets coming into communities and 25,000 lives back on track – a goal well worth fighting for.”
Watch RTÉ’s lunchtime news report on the Jobs Action Plan announcement here.
Photo caption:
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of IT Sligo, accompanies the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. during the Government’s Jobs Action Plan announcement at IT Sligo.