A utility contracting company is to create 150 new jobs as a result of securing significant contracts in the utilities sector.
Gaeltec provides specialist contracting support to public and private companies rolling out or upgrading energy and telecoms infrastructure and networks across Ireland.
The roles will include junior and senior engineers, field surveyors, fibre technicians, GIS technicians, supervisors, designers, electricians and plant operators.
The new jobs are the result of the firm securing a number of new energy and telecoms contracts in the utilities sector.
The company is currently working on several strategic electricity transmission, distribution and fibre broadband projects.
These include working with SIRO, the joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, on the roll-out of the next phase of its fibre broadband network across Ireland.
Overall, 60 of the 150 new roles will support this project, which will see SIRO’s fibre broadband network reach 154 towns across Ireland and provide Gigabit broadband connectivity to 770,000 premises within the next four years.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said: “This is great news from Gaeltec, creating 150 new jobs, mainly in Kilkenny with some opportunities nationwide.
“It’s a real boost in our capacity to build important infrastructure, such as broadband.”
“Sixty of these jobs will be on SIRO’s new project, upgrading thousands of their customers across the country to fibre broadband.”
The firm’s managing director, Joao Felizardo said: “To facilitate the growth, Gaeltec is making a 0.75m euro investment in further development of its headquarters in Kilkenny.”
“We are really excited about having 150 more people, who share our values and ambition, join us during the next exciting stage of Gaeltec’s development.”
The positions will be based primarily in Gaeltec’s Kilkenny and Dublin offices, but a number, such as site staff will be based on projects located nationwide.
As part of its expansion Gaeltec is investing €750,000 in the further development of its headquarters in Kilkenny.
Gaeltec was founded 19 years ago and employs 200 people in Ireland as well as 100 more in the UK and Europe.