Japanese information technology giant Fujitsu has announced plans to add to its service centre workforce in Alness soon after moving to new premises in the town.
The “key hub” will be extended during 2015 to accommodate new staff, Fujutsu said, adding that numbers in Alness could double over the next year.
Its new site at Fyrish House is currently home to 25 workers servicing a £66million contract with Highland Council and 12 were recruited in June to look after other Fujitsu clients.
Fujitsu said some of its work with other local authorities around the UK could be delivered from Alness.
Client director Jim Brophy added: “Our plans still need final approval from some key clients, but we are convinced about the quality of the Alness service desk and the performance to date.
“This gives us real confidence that we can bring new jobs and opportunities to the area in the near future.
“We have been really impressed with the Alness staff and this gives us further encouragement to attract new jobs to the Highlands.
“Doubling the workforce in the next 12 months is a realistic target.”
Council leader Drew Hendry said: “We’ve always believed in the workforce here in the Highlands and this is great news about the jobs potential in Alness.
“We’ve challenged Fujitsu to be innovative and to bring more employment to the region.
“They’re meeting that challenge and we look forward to playing our part in attracting even more jobs to the Highlands.”
Fujitsu already employs around 100 staff in Inverness and more jobs in Alness will make the company one of the biggest private sector employers in the Highlands.
Globally, the company employs in excess of 161,000 people in more than 100 countries, including 11,400 in the UK and Ireland, and turns over more than £30billion a year
Its 500-strong Scottish workforce serves 2,500 locations from offices in Alness, Inverness, Edinburgh, Dundee and Cumbernauld.