A NEW factory is set to open in Irvine this year - and a jobs fair is being organised to give local people an idea of the kind of jobs it will provide.

Oldhall Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) will be located on Oldhall Industrial Estate and is expected to eventually employ around 200 people.

The facility will generate energy from residual commercial waste

Builders STC Power, as EPC contractor on behalf of Doveryard Limited, began construction work on the facility in August of last year - and the site is expected to be operational in the near future.

Ahead of this, a number of roles are set to be created, so project managers have organised a jobs fair in Irvine to discuss the facility and the opportunities this will bring.

They say they will be looking to fill 20 full-time, permanent positions to operate the plant and will be recruiting for these later in 2023.

Irvine Times: What the plant will look like upon completion.What the plant will look like upon completion. (Image: Doveryard)

This fair is due to be held in the Riverside Lodge on Annick Road on Tuesday, January 24, from 10.30am until 7pm.

It is an opportunity for job seekers from the local community to meet the main contractors and find out about construction-related job opportunities, work experience and longer term employment prospects at the facility.

Related skills, recruitment and job support agencies will also be exhibiting.

The fair is free, open to all and there is no need to register in advance.

Project manager Alberto Andres said: “The number of workers on site will fluctuate over time but it is anticipated there will be around 200 people employed on the site at the peak of the construction phase and where possible, we want to recruit people from the local area.

"We would encourage anyone interested to come along to the jobs fair or, if they can’t make it, send us their CV.

"Once construction finishes, we’ll be looking to fill 20 full-time, permanent positions to operate the plant and will be recruiting for these later in 2023.”

Once operational, the Oldhall ERF will generate 17MW of electricity – enough to power 30,000 homes which is more than all the residential properties in Irvine.

It will recover energy by processing around 180,000 tonnes per year of post-recycled waste which would otherwise go to landfill or be exported to Europe for treatment.

This waste will have been sorted to remove valuable recyclables, such as glass, metal, plastic, paper and card.

To submit a CV or to find out more about the project, visit: www.oldhallenergy.co.uk.