IT jobs in Inverness welcomed by First Minister
Capgemini to create new centre of excellence in the Scottish Highlands
500 new jobs are to be created in the Scottish Highlands thanks to financial assistance from Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government.
The £5.25m investment, which includes £4.25m in RSA funding from Scottish Enterprise (via international development arm Scottish Development International) and £1m training assistance from HIE, has been warmly welcomed by First Minister Alex Salmond.
“Capgemini’s announcement of up to 500 new jobs in Inverness is wonderful news for the Highlands and for Scotland,” he said. “It represents a huge investment not only in the future of our economy, but particularly in the future of our young people. These 500 new jobs mean Capgemini is doubling its workforce here in the Highlands and making Inverness one of its global centres of excellence for advanced IT.
“This will result in a 1000-strong Capgemini workforce in Inverness by 2016 – a ringing endorsement of Scotland’s international reputation for intelligence, innovation, drive and industry. This is a very significant investment by a leading multinational employer and marks a strengthening of its already impressive commitment to Scotland.”
Almost 1,000 people are already employed in Scotland by Capgemini through bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen as well existing Highlands centres in Inverness and Nairn. It will now seek to recruit people with IT experience, graduates in all subjects keen to work in technology and school-leavers interested in joining its new Highlands Apprenticeship Programme.
The company also plans to talk to undergraduates considering an IT career, and is establishing especially strong links with the University of the Highlands and Islands in Inverness.
Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, said: “We’re delighted that RSA and training funding has helped bring this centre of excellence to Scotland. Capgemini already has an operational footprint here and is well aware of the quality of our business infrastructure and our skilled and flexible workforce. The fact that it has chosen to bring this latest venture to Inverness shows how much it appreciates those qualities.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them, and with all the agencies, like HIE and Skills Development Scotland, that have collaborated successfully to deliver this excellent result.”
The new centre in Inverness will contribute significantly to Capgemini’s offering of broad-spectrum IT support, development and service capabilities, and will help establish the town as a major centre of excellence for the company's multinational client base.
A strong corporate emphasis on continuous development means new recruits will receive intensive training and education throughout their careers with the company; through on-site training at locations throughout Scotland and England and residential courses at Capgemini University in Fontaines, France.
Paul Soutter, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini Infrastructure Services UK, said: 'Today's announcement reflects our commitment to creating high quality, sustainable employment, not least for young people.
“We have long found Scotland to be a purposeful, dynamic and productive environment for business, so by significantly expanding our activities here, we are building upon a strong record of proven success. The new jobs we are creating in the Highlands will be at the heart of today's knowledge-based economy and will help prove Scotland's ability to compete and win in global markets."
About Scottish Development International
Scottish Development International (SDI) works to attract inward investment and knowledge to Scotland to help the economy grow. It also helps Scottish based companies to trade overseas and promotes Scotland as a good place to live, work and do business. It is a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its work is guided by the Scottish Government’s strategy for economic development in Scotland.
About Capgemini:
With around 125,000 people in 44 countries, Capgemini is one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services. The Group reported 2012 global revenues of EUR 10.3 billion. Together with its clients, Capgemini creates and delivers business and technology solutions that fit their needs and drive the results they want. A deeply multicultural organization, Capgemini has developed its own way of working, the Collaborative Business ExperienceTM, and draws on Rightshore ®, its worldwide delivery model. Learn more about us at www.capgemini.com. Rightshore® is a trademark belonging to Capgemini.
About Regional Selective Assistance:
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is the main national scheme of financial assistance to industry. It provides discretionary grants to investment projects that will create and safeguard employment in areas designated for regional aid under European Community law.
Payment of RSA is made in instalments, typically over several years as job and capital expenditure targets are met. Not all projects will proceed, and nor do all accepted offers result in full payment, as projects are sometimes scaled down or abandoned before payments are made. The figures quoted represent the maximum grant potentially payable if the project is satisfactorily completed, and not the amount actually paid to date. All job numbers are firms’ forecast figures, and are subject to change depending on future economic conditions and other factors affecting the businesses concerned.
For more information on RSA go to http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/rsa
Press contact for Capgemini:
Tom Barton, Capgemini UK plc
Tel.:+44 (0)870 238 2491
Email: tom.barton@capgemini.com