Capgemini to Create up to 500 New High-Tech Jobs in Inverness

25th April 2013

Inverness selected as new global centre of excellence for advanced IT.

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, is creating up to 500 new jobs in the Scottish Highlands as part of a plan that will see Inverness become one of the multinational company's prime global centres of excellence for advanced IT.

The development is strongly supported by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development International, and follows extensive discussions between their officials and executives of Capgemini UK.

Capgemini is seeking people with IT work experience, new graduates in all subjects keen to work in technology in the Scottish Highlands, and school-leavers interested in joining Capgemini's new Highlands Apprenticeship Programme. The company also plans to talk to undergraduates considering an IT career, and is establishing especially strong links with the University of the Highlands and Islands in Inverness.

The Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland, said:“Capgemini’s announcement of up to 500 new jobs in Inverness is wonderful news for the Highlands and for Scotland. It represents a huge investment not only in the future of our economy, but particularly in the future of our young people.

“These 500 new jobs over the next three years mean Capgemini is doubling its workforce here in the Highlands and making Inverness one of its global centres of excellence for advanced IT. In total, this consolidation will result in a 1000-strong Capgemini workforce in Inverness by 2016 – a ringing endorsement of Scotland’s international reputation for intelligence, innovation, drive and industry.

“This is a very significant investment by a leading multinational employer and marks a strengthening of its already impressive commitment to Scotland.”

Paul Soutter, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini Infrastructure Services UK, said: “Today's announcement reflects our commitment to creating high quality, sustainable employment, and not least for college graduates. We have long found Scotland to be a purposeful, dynamic and productive environment for business, so that by significantly expanding our activities here, we are building upon a strong record of proven success. The new jobs we are creating in the Highlands will be at the heart of today's knowledge-based economy and will help prove Scotland's ability to compete and win in global markets.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said:”This is the single largest investment in jobs for the region by a multinational company in recent years. It will place Capgemini amongst our largest employers. The decision to create a global centre of excellence in the Highlands and Islands is testament to the highly skilled business services workforce we are already developing here. This new growth in high quality jobs is very welcome and will strengthen the opportunities for both our current workforce and the next generation of young people looking for a long term career path.

“We are pleased to be helping the company in its new venture both financially and with our local knowledge and links with schools and universities, and with organisations such as Scottish Development International and Skills Development Scotland. We wish Capgemini and its new employees every success with their growth in the Scottish Highlands.”

Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) are together providing Capgemini with £5.25m of financial assistance, including training assistance, with its new venture in the Scottish Highlands.

Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, said: “We’re delighted that RSA and training funding has helped bring this centre of excellence to Scotland. Capgemini already has an operational footprint here and is well aware of the quality of our business infrastructure and our skilled and flexible workforce. The fact that it has chosen to bring this latest venture to Inverness shows how much it appreciates those qualities. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them, and with all the agencies, like HIE and Skills Development Scotland, that have collaborated successfully to deliver this excellent result.”

Capgemini plans to offer a broad spectrum of IT support, development and service capabilities from Inverness, establishing the location as a global centre of excellence on behalf of the company's multinational client base. All its new recruits will undergo intensive training and education both initially and throughout their careers with the company. Training for Capgemini UK employees takes place on-site at a number of locations in Scotland and England, and also includes residential courses at Capgemini University in France.

Capgemini is confident that Inverness will be a competitive and successful choice for both UK and overseas clients seeking a European alternative.

Capgemini currently employs 8,000 people in the UK including almost 1000 in Scotland, comprising over 500 in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and over 470 at its existing Highlands centres in Inverness and Nairn. The company continues to report strong growth despite recession, both globally and in the UK.