Smart Education in Ireland : Derry online support centre will create 100 jobs in Ireland

POLITICAL and business leaders have described the announcement of 100 new jobs in Derry as a vote of confidence in the city.

US social media company, Metaverse Mod Squad is to develop a managed digital engagement services centre at Derry's former Old City shirt factory in the city centre. The new centre is being developed with grant aid of £250,000 from Invest Northern Ireland.

The new jobs will start with a lowest salary of £14,000 to £18,000 and will include sales and marketing positions as well as operations, accounting and services positions. Metaverse – which also has offices in New York and Sacramento - manages digital and online services for a range of leading companies including National Geographic, Warner Bros and HarperCollins.

Enterprise minister, Jonathan Bell welcomed Metaverse's decision to locate its new European operations centre in Derry.

"This is a good news story for Londonderry as the 100 new jobs will offer employment to a wide range of people from those with technical and marketing experience to new graduates. Metaverse prides itself on providing a flexible working environment where employees will have opportunities to work on projects they are passionate about and have many opportunities for internal career progression," the minister said.

Chief operating officer, Mike Pinkerton said Metaverse provided a digital connection between companies and their audiences.

"The range of the entry level jobs is going to be between £14,000 and £18,000 and that's our entry level but then we are also going to have higher paying jobs of account managers, project managers, sales and marketing posts, people operations, business operations, accounting and finance; those will be higher paying jobs," he said.

Mr Pinkerton said the company chose Derry as a location for its new European centre over Dublin, Belfast and Berlin.

Metaverse founder, Amy Ryan Pritchard said Derry was her company's first step on its growth plan.

"With a talented and skilled workforce, a vibrant tech community and a supportive business environment, Derry is the right choice for Metaverse," she said.

The new centre was given a broad welcome by political leaders. SDLP MP, Mark Durkan said it was important to build on the announcement by expanding Ulster University's Magee campus.

This is a vote of confidence in our city as a strong place for digital investment," he said.

Derry mayor, Elisha McCallion said the investment marked a growing confidence in Derry's economy.

"This much needed investment will not only bring employment but it demonstrates the company's confidence in the city and region," she said.

Meanwhile, north Belfast call centre Teletech held a recruitment fair to fill 140 new positions.

The US-owned company said the jobs were due to new business from an existing client.

The firm dropped 200 workers last year after losing a contract to provide support to Nissan.

"Ireland is emerging the best place to study nowadays...many students are selecting Ireland because the country offers many good reasons which no other country till now offers", says Mr. Deepak, Education Manager, Career XL Services..

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