Áine Ryan
A WESTPORT engineering company plans to create 40 new jobs in a three-year expansion programme, The Mayo News can confirm. Horizon West, engineering specialists based at the Westport Business Park, will offer upskilling opportunities through education to engineers throughout the west, which, along with other planned business objectives, will generate the new jobs.
Launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny last December, its cutting-edge technologies provide solutions for manufacturing companies – both FDIs and SMEs – towards improving and implementing quality systems and process excellence. Horizon West caters for medical devices, pharmaceutical, biotech and manufacturing industries.
“Horizon West has identified that there are many qualified technicians and engineers affected by the recession and we are reviewing how these individuals could be upskilled to sustain and develop the needs of the region. We are developing a programme which will give our engineering and technical colleagues the opportunity to be retrained and, moreover, to work with us to build knowledge and competency,” said Aiden Corcoran, Horizon West Managing Director.
He confirmed the company has already initiated discussions with government, state agencies and trade organisations about the plans. Mr Corcoran said that an enhanced and detailed understanding of the needs of manufacturers is at the centre of this project.
PLATFORM
“We’re very keen to ensure that SMEs and FDIs shape the programme – it is a platform for them to engage in the development of a skills infrastructure to support their growth in the region, therefore we must comprehend their needs fully. Our ultimate aim is to develop Mayo as a region of excellence,” he continued.
The Horizon West programme will begin in early 2012.