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Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Paul Muphy, pictured at the Shannon Recruitment Fair with (from left): Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber;  Maureen Williams, Department of Social Protection Clare and Brendan Boyce, Clare County Council. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Westpark Innovation Campus in Shannon was the scene of significant career opportunities this week, as a recruitment fair organised by Shannon Chamber in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection and the Local Authority Integration office attracted over 1,100 attendees – over 850 jobs seekers, TY students, and representatives from 57 companies looking to fill open roles in their organisations.

This landmark event, now in its second year, saw companies across a diverse range of sectors, from aviation, financial services and pharmaceuticals to the public sector, leisure and hospitality, provide a vital platform for face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world.

The event, hosted by Fine Grain Property in its Westpark Innovation Campus, served as a cornerstone of the Department’s annual Work and Skills Campaign.

The fair featured an expansive range of career opportunities, including roles in engineering, financial services, customer support, and essential public services, alongside unique positions such as Bunratty Castle entertainers and retained fire service personnel, swimming coaching, and open positions in Shannon Crematorium, An Garda Siochana to name but a few. Companies offering apprenticeships, including representatives from the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme, were also on hand to share insights on the opportunities offered through an apprenticeship programme. To ensure maximum accessibility, the event also incorporated a sign language interpreter, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for everyone.

Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes was ecstatic in her review of the event. Equating the day as business to employee speed dating, she said: “It was incredible to see so many people arrive at the event in search of employment, people of all ages and abilities and to know that there were jobs on offer to suit all. We also invited TY students to attend as they are at a stage where career choice is on their horizons so it’s important that they see what type of work available in Shannon – 60 students attended.

“The day was about connection, bringing talent and opportunity together. It was about conversations that could lead to careers and about ensuring Shannon and the wider region continue to thrive. In a world where email and digital portals are dominant, it’s good to create a space where employers can meet prospective employees face-to-face and make real connections. The diversity of companies represented reflects the evolving and resilient economic base of Shannon, Counties Clare and Limerick and the wider region. We look forward to hearing positive outcomes from the day, and new talent recruited by the companies that attended.

Thanking Shannon Chamber for collaborating with the Department of Social Protection and Clare County Council’s Local Integration Office, and the 57 companies for showcasing the opportunities on offer, the Council’s Director of Finance, Noeleen Fitzgerald expressed gratitude for attendance and engagement at the jobs fair. She emphasised the benefits of showcasing skill sets, the education sector, and businesses in Shannon, Clare and Limerick and encouraging two-way collaboration between employers and jobseekers.

Fine Grain Property COO, Darragh Lennon, said that the recruitment fair was testament to the growth and momentum that exists in Shannon. He said that the collaborative aspect of the day emulates what Fine Grain is doing in Westpark Innovation Campus and in its other locations throughout Ireland.

“We are working to create, not just workspaces that people and businesses can occupy, but to create workplace communities – bringing people together to collaborate and ultimately to thrive.”

Highlighting the importance of continuous professional development, attendees were also introduced to the resources available through Shannon Chamber Skillnet. The Chamber encouraged both job seekers and current employees to engage with these pathways, which play a crucial role in upskilling the region’s workforce and boosting future funding and opportunities.

Attendance figures were boosted by a live broadcast from Clare FM, which included interviews with companies on roles they are seeking to fill.

“We appreciated Clare FM offering to do a live broadcast from the event. This exposure resulted in a greater than expected number of attendees, which we were able to accommodate thanks to the excellent and expansive facilities at Westpark Innovation Campus. We are already thinking ahead to 2027, prior to which we will be doing a deep dive into the outcomes of the day, the number and types of roles filled. Companies love the format of the day, being able to meet people face-to-face and have meaningful conversations about their offers and workforce expectations.

For those who missed the event or are seeking further information on training and upcoming career initiatives, please contact Aisling Ryan, Manager, Shannon Chamber Skillnet at  aryan@shannonchamber.ie

For further information on Shannon Chamber events check out www.shannonchamber.ie/events-training

 

Cathal Crowe, TD, visiting the Shannon Recruitment Fair where he met with (from left); Darragh Lennon, COO, Fine Grain Property; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Brendan Boyce, Clare County Council and Maureen Williams, Department of Social Protection, Clare. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Helen Downes, CEO. Shannon Chamber takes time out to meet Peter Murphy, marketing and CSR at Ei Electronics, one of the companies seeking to fill open roles in the company at the Shannon Recruitment Fair. Photograph by Eamon Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westpark Innovation Campus in Shannon was the scene of significant career opportunities this week, as a recruitment fair organised by Shannon Chamber in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection and the Local Authority Integration office attracted over 1,100 attendees – over 850 jobs seekers, TY students, and representatives from 57 companies looking to fill open roles in their organisations.

This landmark event, now in its second year, saw companies across a diverse range of sectors, from aviation, financial services and pharmaceuticals to the public sector, leisure and hospitality, provide a vital platform for face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world.

The event, hosted by Fine Grain Property in its Westpark Innovation Campus, served as a cornerstone of the Department’s annual Work and Skills Campaign.

The fair featured an expansive range of career opportunities, including roles in engineering, financial services, customer support, and essential public services, alongside unique positions such as Bunratty Castle entertainers and retained fire service personnel, swimming coaching, and open positions in Shannon Crematorium, An Garda Siochana to name but a few. Companies offering apprenticeships, including representatives from the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme, were also on hand to share insights on the opportunities offered through an apprenticeship programme. To ensure maximum accessibility, the event also incorporated a sign language interpreter, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for everyone.

Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes was ecstatic in her review of the event. Equating the day as business to employee speed dating, she said: “It was incredible to see so many people arrive at the event in search of employment, people of all ages and abilities and to know that there were jobs on offer to suit all. We also invited TY students to attend as they are at a stage where career choice is on their horizons so it’s important that they see what type of work available in Shannon – 60 students attended.

“The day was about connection, bringing talent and opportunity together. It was about conversations that could lead to careers and about ensuring Shannon and the wider region continue to thrive. In a world where email and digital portals are dominant, it’s good to create a space where employers can meet prospective employees face-to-face and make real connections. The diversity of companies represented reflects the evolving and resilient economic base of Shannon, Counties Clare and Limerick and the wider region. We look forward to hearing positive outcomes from the day, and new talent recruited by the companies that attended.

Thanking Shannon Chamber for collaborating with the Department of Social Protection and Clare County Council’s Local Integration Office, and the 57 companies for showcasing the opportunities on offer, the Council’s Director of Finance, Noeleen Fitzgerald expressed gratitude for attendance and engagement at the jobs fair. She emphasised the benefits of showcasing skill sets, the education sector, and businesses in Shannon, Clare and Limerick and encouraging two-way collaboration between employers and jobseekers.

Fine Grain Property COO, Darragh Lennon, said that the recruitment fair was testament to the growth and momentum that exists in Shannon. He said that the collaborative aspect of the day emulates what Fine Grain is doing in Westpark Innovation Campus and in its other locations throughout Ireland.

“We are working to create, not just workspaces that people and businesses can occupy, but to create workplace communities – bringing people together to collaborate and ultimately to thrive.”

Highlighting the importance of continuous professional development, attendees were also introduced to the resources available through Shannon Chamber Skillnet. The Chamber encouraged both job seekers and current employees to engage with these pathways, which play a crucial role in upskilling the region’s workforce and boosting future funding and opportunities.

Attendance figures were boosted by a live broadcast from Clare FM, which included interviews with companies on roles they are seeking to fill.

“We appreciated Clare FM offering to do a live broadcast from the event. This exposure resulted in a greater than expected number of attendees, which we were able to accommodate thanks to the excellent and expansive facilities at Westpark Innovation Campus. We are already thinking ahead to 2027, prior to which we will be doing a deep dive into the outcomes of the day, the number and types of roles filled. Companies love the format of the day, being able to meet people face-to-face and have meaningful conversations about their offers and workforce expectations.

For those who missed the event or are seeking further information on training and upcoming career initiatives, please contact Aisling Ryan, Manager, Shannon Chamber Skillnet at  aryan@shannonchamber.ie

For further information on Shannon Chamber events check out www.shannonchamber.ie/events-training