£1.5 million investment will create up to 400 jobs

Glasgow, Larbert and Kilmarnock could all benefit from a funding deal struck between Webhelp TSC and Scottish Enterprise through its international development arm Scottish Development International.

It’s expected that the £1.5 million award, which helped convince the French-based company to extend its operations in Scotland, will create 400 jobs in all – 294 in Glasgow, 76 in Larbert and 30 in Kilmarnock.

When recruitment is complete it will bring the firm’s total employees in Scotland to almost 3,000.

The company’s expansion is intended to meet growing international demand for the services it provides from its existing contact centres in Larbert, Greenock, Kilmarnock, Dunoon, Rothesay and Glasgow. The RSA award will be used to acquire the additional equipment needed to support the new roles.

Welcoming the announcement, First Minister Alex Salmond said: “400 new jobs across the central belt of Scotland is fantastic news. It brings to almost 3,400 the number of people employed by Webhelp TSC in Scotland and means economic boosts in Glasgow, Larbert and Kilmarnock.

“In particular, it offers our young people enormous opportunities. I know Webhelp are keen to target young people for a large number of these jobs, in the hope they remain with the company for many years and are supported in their ambitions to learn and make progress.

“They’ve already made a head start and have recruited 50 staff, with another 350 to come over the next two years.

“In addition, the company’s creation of a Customer Experience Academy to equip young people with the skills they need for the world of work. Scotland has made big progress overall on youth employment but if we are to maintain this momentum we all need to work together. Webhelp TSC’s academy is exactly the kind of initiative that will make a real difference in the months and years to come.

“Webhelp TSC’s commitment is the latest in a series of inward investments creating jobs in Scotland and provides further proof of the attractiveness of Scotland’s workforce to foreign investors.

“Foreign direct investment is a huge part of Scotland’s economic growth and the last two Ernst and Young surveys clearly demonstrate Scotland’s success in attracting jobs associated with inward investment – outclassing every other part of the UK for the last two years.

“It is of the utmost importance that Scotland’s economic recovery is not blown off-course and through supporting huge inward investments like these, we will continue to work to create jobs and boost growth across the country.”

Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, said: “Projects like this are exactly what RSA funding is intended to support – investment in Scotland’s economic growth and jobs for our people, in particular our young people.

“Alongside Skills Development Scotland, we’ve been working with Webhelp TSC to support their efforts to expand the Scottish arm of the business. It’s very rewarding to see that support leading to a successful conclusion.

“We look forward to working in partnership with the company for many years to come.”