Business process outsourcing company Stream Global Services has established a new contact centre in east Belfast and with that is to create nearly 1,000 jobs.
The company began recruitment to fill the 993 roles last year at a temporary facility, with approval from Invest NI, allowing Stream Global Services to meet customer demand and ensure the project was secured.
Most of the positions are for customer service agents, with more than half already in place. When complete, the project will deliver stg£14m annually in additional salaries.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said employment opportunities are appealing to a wide range of people, including those returning to work, those who have experienced a period of unemployment, and school leavers.
Invest NI and the Department for Employment and Learning have offered Stream Global Services stg£3.3m in support to secure the project. Invest NI has offered stg£2.8m of support through its Jobs Fund, and the Department for Employment and Learning has also offered more than stg£496,500 of training support under its Assured Skills programme.
First Minister the Rt Hon Peter Robinson, MLA, said that to have so many of these jobs already in place at the new facility is fantastic news.
“While several alternative global locations were considered by the company, the requirements of its customers combined with Northern Ireland’s attractive business environment resulted in Stream locating this new centre in east Belfast,” Robinson added.