First sign of jobs recovery (From Western Telegraph)

First sign of jobs recovery

THE first signs of recovery to an economy hit by massive call centre redundancies are appearing this week with the announcement of a double jobs boost in South Pembrokeshire.

Twenty-five jobs are to be created at the Pembroke Dock site of aircraft interiors manufacturer, DPS Composites, thanks to a three-year contract with an international airline.

And cable television company, NTL, has extended and significantly increased its contract at the Cleddau Call Centre, Pembroke Dock. A workforce of 220 has been signed up to promote the companys digital television service for the next ten weeks.

The announcement is good news for a region devastated by more than 1,000 redundancies.

Just eight months ago, DPS Composites was forced to halve its workforce of 150 after airline companies cancelled contracts post-September 11th.

The turnaround in its fortunes comes as confidence returns to the industry.

Managing director Mark Hilsdon said the new contract would be signed on Friday, when he could reveal the company involved.

Currently, 75 manufacturing staff are employed at its Ferry Lane site. The new contract will involve manufacturing aircraft seats.

Everything is looking promising. This is a positive step for us, he said. It will not only mean new jobs, but also secure existing employment. The new contract comes in the same week that NTL signed up to the Cleddau Call Centre for another two months.

Its initial agreement, signed in the same week that 1,045 ITV Digital redundancies were made at the centre, involved 80 staff for a two-week period.

An NTL spokesman said it would require an additional 140 staff. We are very pleased to extend our contract. The team at the call centre are working hard on our behalf to enhance our digital television service, he said.

The news has been welcomed by Christine Gwyther, Assembly Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. It highlighted confidence in the Pembrokeshire workforce, she said.

From the very first day that the call centre redundancies were announced, Manpower and 7C, along with the WDA, gave an assurance that they would leave no stone unturned to get new clients back into the building, she said. I was very pleased when they secured a short-term contract and am heartened that it has been extended to the longer term. The news about DPS Composites is equally welcoming.

Jobs boost for Pembroke Dock: Mark Hilsdon, managing director of DPS Composites, says the future looks promising. PICTURE: Western Telegraph.