400 new jobs in Belfast through PA Consulting

By Judy Shaw

PA Consulting, a global innovation and transformation consultancy with over 2,600 specialists worldwide, are expanding their digital team to Belfast with the creation of 400 jobs over the next five years. 

Global Head of Innovation Services, Anita Chandraker, said: "To meet the needs of our clients, we are continually growing our team of digital specialists. Our digital team helps our clients to use digital technologies to adapt and transform their operations in an era of disruptive change."

According to Jiten Kachhela, Head of Digital for PA Consulting, the digital talent pool in Northern Ireland made it the right place for their next phase of expansion.

Jiten Kachhela shares why PA Consulting are expanding their digital team to Belfast, and the candidates they’re looking for to fill the 400 jobs pic.twitter.com/WxIeJCbBy4

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 4, 2018

PA Consulting has been offered nearly £4 million of government support to secure this investment for Northern Ireland. The company has already recruited a team of nearly 40 people, including 25 digital specialists. 

A range of job level opportunities will be available for University graduates to more experienced highers. 

Average salaries for the roles will be £35 thousand, with some salaries higher and lower depending on experience levels.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, said that the launch of these high quality, unique jobs is something Belfast should be proud about.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley has welcomed the news, @PA_Consulting is bringing 400 new jobs to Belfast over the next 5 years. pic.twitter.com/kKOJNEkLyy

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 4, 2018

This move builds on PA's existing digital innovation, transformation, design and engineering expertise and their recent acquisition of leading digital insight and strategy agency, Sparkler. 

At a time when new technologies, business models and customer expectations are disrupting the ways organisations create and capture value, PA works with clients worldwide in both the public and private sectors to diffuse the threats and seize new opportunities through sustainable digital transformation. 

PA Consulting has been offered £3 million of support by Invest Northern Ireland towards the creation of new jobs, and over £700 thousand of support for Assured Skills pre-employment skills training by the Department for the Economy.

Chief Executive of Invest NI, Alastair Hamilton, said: "As well as our support to help create the new roles, the Department for the Economy will also be running a series of Assured Skills academies to provide pre-employment skills training for 155 of the 400 jobs to ensure the new recruits are able to hit the ground running.

The initial focus for PA will be on Digital Engineering. With roles from graduate-level developers through to Senior Engineering roles available there are opportunities for those interested in digital technology to work on projects involving software development, data analytics, security, and automated intelligence."

Chief Executive of @InvestNI Alastair Hamilton, says approximately £15m a year in wages and salaries will be contributed to the economy here through @PA_Consulting pic.twitter.com/9KCIPaGfTZ

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 4, 2018