Prometric Announces Major Test Development Services Investment in Ireland

Long-term plan will add new technologies and more than 100 jobs in support of global test development initiatives in Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Baltimore, MD & Dundalk, Ireland - 14 November 2011

Prometric, a trusted provider of market-leading test development and delivery solutions, today announced a major investment in its test development services business in Ireland. The investment will enhance the in-depth support services and underlying technologies that the company uses to provide test development services to many of the world's leading test publishing brands.  IDA Ireland, the Irish government agency responsible for attracting investment to Ireland, is supporting this investment.

 

The new Irish operation will augment existing operations in the U.S., India and Japan and, when complete, will almost double the size of the Prometric workforce dedicated to job task analyses, test item development, exam publishing, test score analysis and reporting and test publishing systems' development.

Welcoming the announcement, the Irish Government's Minister for State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Fergus O'Dowd TD, said, "Today's announcement by a leading technology company to locate a strategic part of its global business in Dundalk is a vote of confidence in Ireland.  The creation of 100 high quality jobs is hugely significant for the North-East Region. I would like to assure Prometric of my Government's fullest support as it grows its business in Dundalk".

Test Development Solutions, a newly organized global function, will be headquartered in Dundalk, Ireland with employees spread throughout Prometric's global network of operational offices.  The new headquarters location is expected to grow to more than 100 employees by 2014. By establishing synchronized and technology-enabled test development operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia the company will continue to fuel the double-digit revenue growth rates it has achieved for test development services over the past three years.

This significant investment in people, software development and resources continues to support the company's strategy of increasing and enhancing the testing-related services, including test delivery, it can provide to its global client base, which includes many of the world's best known testing brands. In addition to having a friendly, investment-focused business climate, Ireland offers access to motivated, qualified and experienced talent. Prometric already maintains test delivery operations with an Irish subsidiary headquarters office in Dublin and over 75 employees in the country.

"Our decision to invest in Ireland allows us to expand our employee base globally, work in closer proximity to many of our customers and to provide test development services virtually around the clock," said Michael Brannick, president and CEO of Prometric.  "Over the past several years we have made considerable investments expanding in Asia with good result. Making additional investments in Europe makes just as good business sense, as we operate a growing and global company.

Brannick continued, "The science and technology underlying test development is absolutely critical to ensure the test publisher has developed a truly fair, reliable and valid exam.

Well thought out test development solutions include frequently refreshed and current item content as well as the processes by which exams are developed. We expect the team here in Ireland to lead global resources in the pursuit of more effective and innovative test content production."