Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer, Wrightbus is set to hire around 300 full-time employees as the company nabs new orders from Britain and Ireland. It also seeks to change 120 existing temporary job roles into permanent as the company prepares to expand production at its headquarter in Ballymena.

Jo Bamford, a green entrepreneur, acquired Wrightbus in October 2019 with over 56 employees. However, following a period of rapid expansion spurred by constructing an electric double-decker bus and the first hydrogen double-decker bus globally, the company expects to have approximately 930 full-time employees as soon as the new roles are filled.

Wrightbus expects to fill all the job openings, which comprise skilled, semi-skilled, general operators, and support workers by 2022.

Neil Collins, MD of Wrightbus, said “It's a wonderful success story that only a few people could have envisioned just a few years ago”.

“The company has not only been brought back from brink but has also been revived and has had a time of extraordinary development in the last two years”.

“Wrightbus has introduced the first double-deck electric bus with the fastest charging and the first hydrogen double-decker globally. They are currently the only bus manufacturer in the UK to offer both hydrogen and electric buses”.

“The company's order book looks very promising, with its zero-emission buses in high demand, and they're in talks with a few bus companies from around the UK and Ireland”.

As per sources, coach builders, vehicle installation electricians, driveline operatives, welders, and manufacturing operatives will be some of the job opening available at Wrightbus.

William McCaughey, Mid and East Antrim Mayor, praised the increase in new job opportunities. He said, "Despite the obstacles provided by the global pandemic, Wrightbus' excellent growth trajectory and success over the past two years is testimony to the great resilience and ambition of the company, its leadership, and its employees".

Source Credit - https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/antrim-firm-wrightbus-to-create-up-to-300-permanent-jobs-1.4649349