A new initiative aimed at encouraging the creation of 5,000 new Irish jobs in the first half of 2012 just may reach its target, as 56 companies have pledged to create at least 227 roles since the initiative launched two days ago.
The initiative, Hireland, kicked off on 16 January with four firms pledging to employ new staff by mid-year: digital sales agency i-Believe, Saon Group, an operator of online recruitment websites for recruiters and career seekers, communications skills company Blue Moon Communications, and dealership Spirit Motor Group.
Since then, 56 companies from various fields have pledged to create jobs, too. Among them are cloud computing start-up SourceDogg.com (80 jobs), cosmetics company Avon (25 jobs), recruitment agency A People Recruitment (8-10 jobs) and e-retail specialist Zatori Results (6-10 jobs).
Hireland is a volunteer, not-for-profit group that has developed an Ireland-wide initiative to encourage employers to hire skilled people who are out of work.
Hireland said it wants to draw on the power of the collective and act as a catalyst to stimulate job creation in a positive, confident movement, where one job will lead to another if Irish businesses get on board and pledge a job.
“Hireland’s message is very clear. If you’re a business owner, pledge a job on www.hireland.ie,” said Gerard O’Neill, chairman of Amárach Research and co-founder of Hireland. “A sure way of future proofing your business is to hire more people. By recruiting more people into the business, a company will experience immediate and direct benefits.”
