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The company announced that it was expanding its e-learning product development and innovation centre operation in Limerick in a EUR12 million investment, which is being backed by the Industrial Development Authority. The company is also set to open a facility in Birr, Co. Offaly, as part of its funding agreement with the IDA.
The planned expansion will see Thomson NetG transfer all software development for its IT training courses, together with a number of related activities within its learning division, from the US to its Irish subsidiary.
According to Joe Dougherty, president of Thomson NetG, the first intake of the jobs will start in 2003 and will be completed by 2005, which will bring the company's total employment numbers at that time to around 700 in Ireland.
Of the 360 new positions, a possible 80 could be created in the proposed Birr satellite operation, which is likely to house R&D operations similar to those in Limerick. The company is currently in discussions with the IDA in regards to finding a suitable location in the Offaly town and the facility is expected to open towards the end of 2003.
Dougherty told ElectricNews.Net that a number of factors had persuaded the company to invest further in its Limerick operation. "Thomson NetG was impressed by the quality of people and management in Limerick, and also by the favourable labour costs and the level of governmental support available," he commented.
An additional factor, continued Dougherty, was that the business has made several acquisitions over the last year, most notably its merger with Wave Technologies and Course Technology in February of this year, and wanted to consolidate as much of its R&D operations as possible in the one location. "In a way, for Thomson NetG, all roads lead to Limerick," he remarked.
Thomson NetG has been in Limerick's National Technological Park since 1998 and has increased its staffing levels during that time from 69 in 1999 to around 270 at present.
The business provides a range of learning products and services, which are available both over the Internet and in the traditional instructor-led format, to the corporate and academic markets. Its customers include Nestle, Cap Gemini, Konica and Scottish Power. Its parent company, Thomson Corporation, had revenues of USD7.1 billion in 2001.
Speaking at the announcement of the expansion, Tanaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment, Mary Harney, TD, said the move demonstrated that Ireland is rapidly becoming a leading location for e-learning companies.
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