Former NWRC student announces 256 jobs for Derry~Londonderry

A former student of North West Regional College has announced he is creating 256 jobs in the North West creating a European Centre of Excellence in Derry~Londonderry.

John Harkin, Director and Founder of Alchemy Technology Services, who previously took his A-Levels at NWRC, returned to the Strand Road campus on Monday morning, to announce the major investment for the city in partnership with Invest NI and the Department for the Economy.

As part of the investment NWRC will provide a 4-6 week Pre Employment Academy, enabling the company to attract graduates with the composite level of skills required for the positions they are offering.

Alchemy will provide software implementation and technology consultancy to the UK and European insurance sector.

The company will provide certified staff to System Integrators, Software Providers and insurance companies for the implementation of digital solutions across the insurance industry. To meet this demand the company aims to recruit 256 staff.

Announcing the significant investment, Alastair Hamilton, CEO, Invest Northern Ireland said: “The Alchemy management team has extensive knowledge of the insurance sector and in delivering transformation projects. They have identified a gap in the market to provide a service to the insurance industry and believe Londonderry is the right place to find the talent to meet this need.

“Alchemy is planning to create the new roles in software implementation and technology consultancy over the next three years. The majority of the roles will be customer facing with the opportunity to work on projects right across Europe.

“With average salaries in the mid-£20k range, and good opportunities for progression, these are roles that will suit college and university students, as well as graduates.

“Once the project is fully implemented it will generate over £6.5 million in annual salaries, a real economic boost for Northern Ireland, and the North West specifically.’

Government has offered nearly £2.3m of funding to support the creation of the new roles and secure the project for Northern Ireland.

Former NWRC student John Harkin, Director and Founder, Alchemy said: “Insurance companies in the UK, and across Europe, are making an unprecedented investment in the digital transformation of their core systems and processes to respond to the changing demands within their marketplace. There is a real shortage of specialist skills to respond to this upsurge in digital transformation projects across the insurance industry. We plan to help meet that demand by bringing new talent into the industry.

“We look forward to working with the Department for the Economy’s Assured Skills Training programme to recruit business and technology oriented graduates and college students with good communication and interpersonal skills to fill these customer facing roles.

“I am originally from Derry, and have made frequent visits here in recent months as we assessed different locations for this investment. I have met with the colleges and university, and numerous students and have been impressed. I am confident that this is the right place to set up our business and find the talent we need.”

Nicola Curry, Business Development Manager at North West Regional College’s Business Support Centre said:

“On behalf of North West Regional College, I welcome this jobs announcement from Alchemy which is great news for our local economy.

“The heart of what we do at the Business Support Centre at NWRC is focused on supporting local companies to create a skilled workforce. In the last two years one of our most successful strategies has been the establishment of the pre training and mentoring Academy Model ‘Assured Skills’, guaranteeing a skilled workforce to investors bringing jobs to Northern Ireland.

“In partnership with the Department for the Economy we are delighted to support Alchemy’s investment in job creation in the North West by delivering a further Pre Employment Academy, which will enable the company to attract graduates with the composite level of skills required for the positions they are offering.”

Alchemy will be based at City Factory in Derry~Londonderry.