City call centre creates 150 jobs

A call centre in Londonderry is expanding its workforce for the second time in a matter of weeks.

Firstsource announced 150 new jobs last month and is now looking to recruit another 150 workers after winning a new contract.

The workers will be based at a new site on Spencer Road.

Firstsource manager Sean Harnett said they hope to start recruiting as soon as possible. "We are looking for a quick turnaround," he said.

"We've got about 50 of the jobs open this side of Christmas, then we'll be ramping up the rest post-Christmas.

"We're very pleased to be able to straddle both sides of the city now and we're looking forward to be in a new part of town and to continue the great experience we've had here already."

Troubled times

The call centre sector in the north west has been badly hit by the economic downturn.

In August, Stream International put 335 workers on 90-days notice after the company lost a major contract.

In September, Derry businessman Phil O'Doherty, of E and I Engineering, called on Invest NI to stop giving financial assistance to call centres.

In response to a report by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ulster, Richard Barnett, which said INI put too much effort into attracting low-paid jobs, Mr O'Doherty said the jobs body should "wipe the slate clean".

"By and large, call centres are what have been brought in through foreign direct investment, and these jobs are no longer any use to us.

"The answer has to be indigenous companies," he said.