A SPECIALIST recruitment company will create 200 new jobs in Glasgow this year – and more than 300 in total over the next three years.

International recruitment firm SThree, which provides specialist recruitment services for Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) industries, is opening a centre of excellence in the city.

SThree said investing in Glasgow would give it access to a highly skilled workforce and an excellent business infrastructure. Its investment is backed by £2 million of regional selective assistance funding from Scottish Enterprise.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “This facility will be a major jobs boost for Glasgow, with 200 new posts this year and 314 in total over the next three years. And it will support our ambition for Scotland to be a Stem nation with our economy at the forefront of the technological frontier.

“The £2m funding from Scottish Enterprise also gives SThree access to the excellent business support network here in Scotland.

“And our communities will benefit from the work of the innovative SThree Foundation which supports young people from underprivileged and diverse backgrounds to transition successfully into Stem higher education, jobs and apprenticeships.”

SThree has 40 offices across 16 countries. Chief financial officer Alex Smith said: “Investing in Glasgow gives us access to a highly skilled workforce and an excellent business infrastructure.

“The Stem markets in which we operate are growing rapidly and this new centre in Glasgow will strengthen our operational capability and support expanding teams across our main markets. Our new centre of excellence will bring together our UK support services and underpin our future business needs in the most efficient way. In making this new investment in Glasgow, we have had tremendous support from the Scottish Government and Scottish Development International.”

Paul Lewis, Scottish Enterprise’s interim chief executive, said: “The decision by SThree to select Glasgow for this expansion is further evidence of Scotland’s attractiveness, backing up our position as the leading UK location for inward investment outside London.

“We’re looking forward to working with the company to support its ambitious growth plans for Scotland.”