Virtualisation and cloud software giant VMware has revealed plans to create 250 new technology jobs in Cork over the next three years. The company already employs 550 people across two sites in Cork.
VMware says it is expanding its facilities in Ireland with a further site to support the increasing demand for its virtualisation and cloud technologies across the globe. The majority of positions created will be for high-value customer support and sales specialists and recruitment is already under way.
“Jobs are at the very top of this Government’s agenda and I am determined to do everything possible to achieve the job creation we so badly need,” Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said this morning.
“This means setting highly ambitious targets and undertaking radical change in order to achieve them. It also means targeting specific sectors where Ireland has advantages, including cloud computing, where it is estimated that 8,600 jobs can be created by 2014.
“Today’s announcement by VMware is great news for Cork and shows that we are on the right track. However, we must do more, and I have a plan for a series of measures across a range of sectors, including cloud computing, to hit ambitious targets and get people back to work,” Bruton said.
Cloud computing is now at the top of the global business agenda
Thanking the IDA Ireland for its continued support to date, Maurizio Carli, senior vice-president and general manager of Europe, Middle East and Africa at VMware, said the expansion reflects the success VMware is achieving at a time when virtualisation and cloud computing has moved to the top of the business agenda.
“The pressure to cut costs and become more efficient is a top priority for business leaders and it’s fantastic that Irish operations and employees are helping to drive our success in EMEA,” Carli explained.
“The availability of the required skill sets and languages in Ireland, along with the strong work ethic and solutions-oriented approach of the campus, has proved to be invaluable for our business.”
With more than 10,000 employees globally, revenues of almost $3bn and 250,000 customers, VMware is one of the world’s leading technology companies, and Ireland represents a vital international hub for VMware as it drives the next wave of computing.
“The opening of the new office is a result of the dedication our existing Irish employees have already shown,” added Ian Moore, country manager, Ireland, VMware.
“The Cork region is well established as a focus for dynamic IT companies and the area is well-known for its strong heritage in supporting global technology brands. Developing our Cork operations means we have more scope for creating new jobs for enthusiastic and energetic people with a wide range of skill sets.”
Welcoming today’s announcement, IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary said, “VMware‘s decision to expand its footprint here further boosts Ireland’s growing reputation as a location of choice for cloud computing, a key growth area identified in IDA’s strategy, ‘Horizon 2020’.
“Cork has a vibrant ICT sector with about 8,000 technology employees working in IDA Ireland client firms in the county. Today’s job creation announcement demonstrates Ireland’s continued ability to attract leading-edge foreign direct investment,” O’Leary added.
VMware is contributing heavily to the broader Irish IT ecosystem. It has been able to considerably grow its partner channel in the region and has recently awarded Premier Partner status to two partners – Triangle and HiberniaEvros.
These are the first two organisations in Ireland to gain this status after they achieved a range of expertise and qualifying requirements, including employing certified professionals and meeting high levels of sales volumes.
VMware has already helped hundreds of organisations of all sizes and sectors in Ireland transform their IT environments and the way they run their businesses.
For more on Cork being an international tech hub and its position as the digital gateway to Europe, visit Digital Cork.
