Bonanza for Ireland as tech firms create 315 jobs

24 Sep 2008

Over 315 jobs are to be created across Ireland following two separate jobs announcements yesterday by technology companies.

It emerged yesterday that Galway-based driver e-learning and training company Sim2Learn is to create 250 jobs across Ireland.

The company has created a 360-degree driver simulation system that teaches budding motorists how to drive

The simulator consists of the cockpit of a car/truck/bus, with all primary and secondary controls, providing the learner driver with a real-life environment in which to learn. The virtual-reality driving environment is provided through several wrap-around ,high-resolution computer screens.

It is understood that C&F Group are investing €4.3m in Sim2Learn and the company is to set up 50 high-tech driver training centres around the country, with 50 of the jobs to be based in Galway and the remainder distributed across the country in 30 centres.

Sim2Learn set up its first centre in Galway 18 months ago and has since opened centres in Dublin, Letterkenny, Sligo and Cork.

In another major jobs announcement, data warehouse company Netezza Corporation of Massachusetts is to create 65 jobs over the next five years at a customer support and financial services operation.

Netezza provides data warehouse equipment that helps store, retrieve and analyse large amounts of data. The company’s appliances integrate database, server and storage functions, allowing customers to quickly analyse large amounts of data at lower costs than traditional data warehouses. Its customers include government agencies and companies in data-intensive fields such as telecommunications, financial services, e-business, retail, analytic service providers and health care.

The Irish operation will act as the financial and administrative hub for the company’s sales operations across Europe and will provide direct support to customers in the region. With a client base that includes major global companies such as Orange UK and Amazon.com, Netezza sees significant opportunities in basing its operation in Ireland.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com