Career Advice

No place like home

The changes that have taken place in Northern Ireland over the past years make it almost unrecognisable from the country that many people left during the Troubles.

The powerful imagery of bombs, balaclavas and security checks from this period of our history has now been replaced by that of thriving city centres, numerous award winning restaurants and bars, and a football team that encapsulates the notion that Northern Ireland is now in a position where it can dare to believe in the future.


Michelle Jackson took the opportunity to return to Northern Ireland after working in England for 16 years

An increasing number of people now choose to visit Northern Ireland to see our incredible landscape and experience the lifestyle we have often taken for granted. In its Blue List, Lonely Planet claims that Northern Ireland is abuzz with life: the cities are pulsating, the economy is thriving and the people, the lifeblood that courses through the country, are in good spirits and includes Northern Ireland as one of its must see destinations.

Businesses too have tapped into this feeling of optimism brought about by our burgeoning economic prosperity. In the past 6 months, almost a thousand jobs have been promoted through inward-investment projects supported by Invest NI.  In addition, Invest NI, in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland, offered assistance to 1,504 individuals to start their own business.

Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, commented, I want people to realise that the days when Northern Ireland couldnt compete with the employment opportunities offered in Great Britain are gone. With our growing economy and lower cost of living, Northern Ireland is a top choice for people looking to take the next step in their career. I would encourage people who currently study or work elsewhere to explore the exciting opportunities now available here.

The increase in the number of employment opportunities being offered means that recruitment companies are now actively targeting ex-pats from Northern Ireland who have the senior management skills required to take forward new and established businesses here.

Deirdre Stewart of the CBI agrees with this approach: The recent increase in inward investment and the growth in the number of indigenous companies means that we must start to look outside of Northern Ireland to secure the volume of talent we now require to help our companies thrive.

Alex McGimpsey has returned home after 8 years in Scotland to work as a HR advisor for the Bank of Ireland

There is no doubt that the reasons that people choose to return to Northern Ireland are numerous and complex - lifestyle, family and work all play their part.

Alex McGimpsey, a recent post graduate from the University of Strathclyde, returned home to Northern Ireland in October after spending 8 years in Scotland. While she was keen secure a good job that would further her career in Human Resources, Alex's main reasons to return home were to re-establish her roots here and spend more time with her family.

She said: Through availing of the services of a recruitment agency in Newtownards, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were a number of employment opportunities available in my field and within two weeks I had secured an excellent job as an HR Advisor with the Bank of Ireland in Belfast. I firmly believe that the transformation that has occurred here over the last 8 years means that Belfast now compares favourably against other great cities in the UK.

Michelle Jackson, originally from Kells near Ballymena, who moved to England 16 years ago to work for leading department store, House of Fraser. She has now also relocated back to Northern Ireland to take up the position of Store Manager for House of Frasers largest store opening at Victoria Square, where she is currently recruiting 500 staff for the 200,000 sq ft store which opens on 6th March 2008.

The opportunity to move back to Northern Ireland came at the right time for Michelle. She says, Northern Ireland has changed so much since I left almost 16 years ago and there is so much more to offer. Being part of the team to open Northern Irelands first House of Fraser store was an obvious choice and it is a very exciting time.

Thanks to our new found confidence and the Executives focus on the economy, a lack of employment opportunity can no longer be used as a reason not to return.

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