The Western Development Commission have launched a new campaign focused on those who grew up in the West but now live overseas. The campaign is timely as many of those around the world are now planning to travel home over the festive period for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The message from the WDC is if you’re coming home, why not consider staying.
As part of the campaign, the WDC will host an online event that will showcase all the opportunities for diaspora from the West of Ireland and look at some of the reasons why, now is a great time to move back.
The free online event will look at the employment prospects across various sectors through the recently launched platform Westernjobs.ie as well as the key challenges, opportunities and supports available to those considering moving home from abroad.
Hosting the event will be CEO of the Western Development Commission, Tomás Ó Síocháin. “Through WesternJobs.ie we have already seen a large number of highly skilled candidates being matched with opportunities in the West, from Tech to Engineering to Healthcare. The West offers a fantastic quality of life and the opportunity to find a challenging career without compromising on that all important work-life integration we are now seeing. Remote working opportunities across the region also now offer those overseas a chance to relocate and work for some of the biggest companies in the world or our world renowned indigenous companies from their own home or a digital hub.”
Hundreds of companies from Kerry to Donegal have now joined WesternJobs.ie to highlight their active roles and the WDC is encouraging more companies across the region to sign up so that those coming home are aware of the career opportunities.
A number of these key employers will be Joining Tomás for the event on the 10th December to discuss the future developments and employment opportunities available. Guest speakers include Dr. Eithne Ní Bhrádaigh from Vistamed in Leitrim, David Kenny VP of Overstock.com based in Sligo, Bernice Faherty Associate Director of HR, Aerogen in Galway, Ruth O’Donoghue HR Manager Harmac Medical Products in Roscommon and Maeve Bleahene Head of Operations at Peroptyx.
Based in Sligo, David Kenny VP of Overstock.com said “Headquartered in Utah, we set up our EU headquarters in Sligo for the talent pool and the lifestyle the West could offer our employees. As we continue to grow, and now move to a hybrid model of work, attracting key talent is more important than ever. What we offer is machine learning and software development rolls at the cutting edge of technology in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. For those in this sector, living abroad right now, we encourage you to visit westernjobs.ie to view our open roles“.
Maeve Bleahene, Head of Operations at Peroptyx in Mayo added “As an Irish founded start-up from the West, it’s imperative we attract back home-grown talent as we grow. With the developments of remote working opportunities since Covid, you can enjoy the benefits of working locally but still have that global network. Entrepreneurship and innovation in the West is going from strength to strength and it’s great to be a part of an event that will highlight the fantastic employment opportunities and demand for talent in the region“
The event will also see a panel of experts from around the world join to discuss the key issues for those overseas, looking to move back. These include CEO of The Networking Institute Kingsley Aikins, Chairperson of the Asian County Board John Alan O’Sullivan, Denise Kidd from The London Irish Centre and Machine Learning Scientist John Savage who moved back to Sligo after living in Chicago and Dublin.
The event will take place online on the 10th of December at 11:30 am. To sign up for the event or for more information, please go to Westernjobs.ie
