Saturday, November 19^th saw the launch of an exciting and innovative approach by companies in Kerry in their endeavours to source appropriately qualified personnel to work in the areas of science and technology across a spectrum of companies in the county.

KerrySciTech is a not-for-profit organisation whose primary aim is to promote and highlight Kerry as a science and technology hotspot. The KerrySciTech website enables its members to advertise their jobs through a single web portal. Job seekers will then apply for those jobs directly to the member company. 

Based at the Tom Crean Business Centre, at the Kerry Technology Park, the IT Tralee and Kerry County Council are key sponsors of the project which is being championed by a number of companies in the region including Aspen Grove Solutions, FEXCO and Dairymaster.

Sean Ryan, CEO of Aspen Grove Solutions outlined at the launch of the website the motivation behind the establishment of KerrySciTech. “Kerry offers many advantages as a place to work and live. Acquiring the appropriate talent for companies in the region can be a challenge, especially in the areas of science and technology. Collectively, the companies in the region saw an opportunity whereby through collaboration we could position Kerry as a hotspot for science and technology jobs. Our objective over the coming months is to increase the  number of the companies participating in the KerrySciTech initiative and to market the portal both nationally and internationally as a go to site for those wishing to secure a science or technology job based in Kerry.”

The site was launched by Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Lecturer and Broadcaster, at the IT Tralee North Campus as part of the Kerry Science Festival. The launch was followed by a series of talks by companies in the region who outlined the breadth and depth of job opportunities available in the science and technology areas.

Moira Murrell, CE of Kerry County Council acknowledged the work of all involved to date in bringing the project to fruition, outlining the advantage the site will offer in terms of increasing the attractiveness of Kerry as a place to do business. “Attracting new companies to locate in Kerry, especially FDI can be challenging. An initiative such as this which supports access to the necessary talent pool that companies require can only enhance Kerry’s attractiveness as a business location.”

Dr. Oliver Murphy, President of IT Tralee also welcomed the development. “KerrySciTech provides an excellent platform for further enhancing the engagement between Kerry County Council, the IT Tralee and companies in the region to address the issue of skills shortages.  Ambitious economic plans for Kerry have been set-out in the Action Plan for Jobs (2015). Achieving these deliverables will require Kerry to increase the number of graduates in the science and technology areas, whilst attracting back into the county those who have left and are working in STEM related careers in other regions.  The site also offers a platform to attract those who have no Kerry connections but who wish to have a fulfilling career and an excellent work-life balance here in the Kingdom.”