THE Staffline Ireland Group, the island's third largest recruiter, has signed off on another major acquisition deal.
Its managing director Tina McKenzie confirmed that the group has added Belfast-based Paragon Training Limited to its portfolio.
Paragon, established in 1990, provides training and employment services to the local community through branches in both east and west Belfast.
It delivers on programmes such as Apprenticeship NI, Training for Success and Steps to Work.
Staffline has been on a major growth trajectory in the last five years, and it currently a £53 million company employing in excess of 100 staff across Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Tina - who in November took the award for Outstanding Management/Leadership at the Women in Business Awards - said: “We are pleased to welcome Paragon Training Limited as they join PeoplePlus NI on our mission to support the people of Northern Ireland into sustainable employment.
"This acquisition represents a highly complementary fit with our existing employability contracts and accelerates our growth strategy across Northern Ireland, bringing a number of benefits to our customers.
"Paragon’s learners can now tap in to our innovative, employer-led 'Host Employer' model while PeoplePlus NI’s customers across the north coast can benefit from Paragon’s expertise in youth training."
She added: "We are excited for the opportunities ahead with PeoplePlus NI and Paragon Training working closely together to best support the people of Northern Ireland through employability support, justice services, and employment training.”
Staffline Group companies in Ireland include Staffline OnSite, a blue-collar staffing services agency, PeoplePlus NI and since last October Diamond Recruitment, a recruitment agency for professional services.
Last year Staffline's sales in Ireland increased by 250 per cent,and after the strategic acquisition of Diamond Recruitment, total turnover was a whopping 1385 per cent higher than in 2014.
Tina added: "We are always working closely to meet local employers’ needs whilst supporting candidates into productive and meaningful work.
"Last year alone our recruitment businesses put over 6,000 people into work with clients across Ireland and our employment support business is currently working with over 10,000 people who are long-term unemployed, supporting them on their journey back into employment."
Staffline Group established offices in Belfast and Dublin under Tina’s direction in 2013, with PeoplePlus NI opening offices in Newtownabbey and Derry in 2014.
It has grown to become the third largest recruitment company on the island of Ireland and the number one recruiter in Northern Ireland.
