DALLAS, Nov. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Jacobs (NYSE: JEC) Opening its new European flagship
office in London at the Cottons
Centre, Jacobs announced plans to hire approximately 2,400 staff in
the U.K. over the next two years. The jobs will be a broad range of
highly skilled professional and technical roles across diverse
sectors.
Joining Jacobs' existing U.K. talent force of more than 9,000
employees, these new roles will be based across the company's more
than 30 U.K. offices, delivering digital and other advanced
technical solutions to support more connected communities, cleaner
air and water, cyber defenses, strategic deterrent, clean energy
and environmental clean-up.
"Britain is a critical market
for Jacobs. This investment is an indication of our ongoing
confidence in the U.K. economy and its long-term infrastructure
plans," said Jacobs President and Chief Operating Officer
Bob Pragada. "Our people are helping
to tackle some of the U.K.'s most complex challenges to make the
future better, delivering projects to safeguard the environment and
improve the security, connectivity, resiliency and productivity of
the U.K."
Central to this investment in skills is Jacobs' commitment to
developing the next generation of diverse talent. One-third of
Jacobs' 1,300 hires in the U.K. over the past year were graduates,
interns and apprentices. As part of its strategy to continue
developing talent, Jacobs is collaborating with the London
Interdisciplinary School to create a new undergraduate program
integrated with the real world. Students will train to solve
problems cross a variety of sectors.
Jacobs also has programs and a full suite of formal training to
ensure existing employees are always learning. This includes
courses to develop technical skills, continue professional
development and train as mental health champions. Jacobs also
offers an MSc in Business and Strategic Leadership
with Cranfield University's School of Management to develop
high-potential leaders.
At the London office opening,
Professor Brian Cox spoke to 16
to18-year-olds from local London
schools, aspiring engineers and Jacobs employees about the skills
they will need for the future, giving inspirational ideas for
future infrastructure projects.
"Jacobs' work to encourage and help young people to build STEM
careers is impressive," said Professor Cox. "We are living in an
exciting era of scientific discovery and rapid technological
change, but we are also facing significant challenges as we try to
build a better and sustainable future. What is certain is that the
next generation's jobs will be unrecognizable from those we see
today."
Cox continued: "Our young people therefore need new skills to
meet these challenges and seize the opportunities. By nurturing
talent, and investing in people early, we can provide the training,
experience and development needed for us all to succeed in the
long-term."
New European Flagship Office to Support Strategic
Growth
The new London office is
central to the company's growth strategy in Europe and the Middle East. The Jacobs-designed office on the
banks of the Thames, takes advantage of sustainable reuse of space
to provide a flexible, collaborative and high-energy work
environment for up to 1,000 employees. The progressive workplace
solution is designed to enhance employee engagement and work
performance through a wide range of space typologies and
settings.
Jacobs re-stated its confidence and commitment in the U.K. and
its development plans. Earlier this year, it announced its intent
to acquire John Wood Group's Nuclear business for an enterprise
value of £250 million (approximately $300
million), and 50% of U.K.-based social value measurement and
wellbeing firm, Simetrica.
About Jacobs
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to
reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for
thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes,
operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge
manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform
the world for good. With $13 billion
in revenue and a talent force of approximately 52,000, Jacobs
provides a full spectrum of professional services including
consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the
government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect
with Jacobs on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Professor Brian Cox OBE
Professor Brian Cox OBE is an English physicist, and Professor
of particle physics at the University of Manchester. A Fellow at the Royal Society and
popular television, radio presenter & author, he has received
awards for his work in publicising science. Professor Cox continues
to inspire audiences in the UK and around the globe.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute
forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements
are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same.
Statements made in this release that are not based on historical
fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking
statements on management's current estimates and expectations as
well as currently available competitive, financial and economic
data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently
uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business
results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements.
For a description of some additional factors that may occur that
could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking
statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 27, 2019, and in particular
the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk
Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, as well as the Company's other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any
duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date
of this press release to conform to actual results, except as
required by applicable law.
For press/media inquiries:
Kerrie Sparks
+1.214.583.8433
Vanessa Mourant
+44 (0)20.8545.0270
Weber Shandwick for Jacobs
JacobsUK@webershandwick.com / +44 (0)20.7861.0838
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SOURCE Jacobs