13/03/2012
Working in Antrim
County Antrim is best known for the Giant’s Causeway and the fact that most of Belfast is contained within its borders. However, there is much more to the county than a major city and a single landmark. For a start, the county has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and its rugged landscape makes the entire region a must-see for tourists. The Antrim Borough Council is also working hard to ensure that the county’s economy as a whole grows faster. They have also implemented a successful environmental policy which has seen the county rank at the top of the Northern Ireland table for recycling on numerous occasions.
Employment
The county of Antrim is making the most of its excellent transport links which are ideal for communications. Antrim is home to Belfast International Airport which is the sixth largest in the UK. It has sea ports at Larne and Belfast and excellent road and rail links to the whole of Northern Ireland, UK and Republic of Ireland. In recent years, world renowned companies such as Fujitsu and Schrader Electronics have opened major offices in the county.
A quick look at the Antrim Borough Council’s most recent annual report shows the amount of work that has gone into making the county the best place to do business in Northern Ireland. In 2010/11, approximately £8 million was spent on a rural development program which also increased the number of jobs in the county. Another £28 million was spent on a range of redevelopment plans which were designed to make Antrim more environmentally friendly as well as refurbishing existing tourist attractions. Over 90% of the county’s workforce under the jurisdiction of the Borough Council is covered by personal performance targets which rewards employees for hard work.
Lifestyle in Antrim
As we’ve already mentioned, the Borough Council are on a mission to make Antrim a cleaner and healthier place to live. The main attraction is the world famous Giant’s Causeway but visitors and new residents should not overlook the rest of the stunning scenery. Along with the unique rock formations and mountains in the county, a host of remarkable medieval castles can be found. Carrickfergus Castle was built in 1177 and is one of Ireland’s best preserved medieval structures. The ruins of Dunluce Castle overlook the ocean and provide a picture perfect scene.
Portrush is home to one of the world’s best links golf courses and of course, Belfast lies in the south of the county with certain districts officially located in County Down. Belfast comprises well over a third of the county’s population and makes a substantial contribution to its economy. Nonetheless, the Antrim Borough Council is keen to reduce the county’s dependence on the city and hopes to improve the prospects of other rural and urban areas.
An interesting project is being undertaken at the moment by the Borough Council. They have created a free service called CompeteFor which they hope can help local businesses compete for available contracts linked to the London Olympic Games this summer. It is hoped that successful companies will be able to enjoy long-term benefits.
Also check out Living in Antrim and History of Antrim, or view our current Antrim Jobs.
Steven Forsyth