EY plans 1,000 new Jobs in Northern Ireland

Professional services juggernaut EY has unveiled ambitious plans to create 1,000 jobs in Northern Ireland within the next half-decade. These positions will be strategically allocated across key domains such as cyber security and data analytics, reinforcing EY’s commitment to bolstering its talent pool in the region. The investment, which has received the backing of Invest NI and the Department for the Economy, stands as a testament to the firm’s growing footprint in Northern Ireland.

The latest expansion will not only significantly augment EY’s workforce but also serve to elevate the economic landscape of Northern Ireland. These well-paying jobs, with an average annual salary of £33,000, will be concentrated in Belfast and at a newly established hub in the north-western region of the country.

Rob Heron, Managing Partner at EY Northern Ireland, noted the firm’s heightened demand across diverse business sectors, attributing it to an increasing number of clients seeking EY’s expertise in navigating complex and strategic challenges. Heron underscored the significance of tapping into a broad spectrum of talent with a rich array of skills and specialisations, ensuring EY’s continued ability to meet client needs effectively.

The announcement of this monumental job creation initiative coincided with the commencement of the Northern Ireland Investment Summit in Belfast. This summit serves as an international platform for showcasing Northern Ireland’s economic potential and attracting global investors and businesses. Over 100 such entities are expected to participate in this substantial event, reinforcing Northern Ireland’s allure as an investment destination.

Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, hailed the summit’s role in harnessing Northern Ireland’s unique attributes and profound expertise in future industries. She emphasised the region’s exceptional trading position and underscored its status as an enticing global investment hotspot.

In conjunction with the Department for the Economy (DFE), EY Northern Ireland is poised to launch an Assured Skills Academy Programme. This initiative aims to cultivate a pipeline of talent in specialised areas such as cyber security and data analytics. It is designed to cater to a diverse group of individuals, including those seeking to re-enter the workforce after a career hiatus, individuals seeking a career transition, and recent graduates seeking an alternate path into professional services.

DfE Permanent Secretary Mike Brennan underscored the impact of the Assured Skills Academies in filling more than 350 jobs across a spectrum of roles and skill sets, encompassing data and analytics, cyber security, procurement, commercial contract management, and project and program management.

The Northern Ireland Business Alliance, a collaborative effort between CBI NI, the Centre for Competitiveness, the Institute of Directors NI, and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, expressed its enthusiasm for showcasing local talent at the NI Investment Summit, reinforcing the collective commitment to fostering economic growth in the region.