SIX HUNDRED new jobs will be created in Ballarat after a global information and communication technology company announced it would be setting up business here.Vertex Australia will invest up to $11.5 million to establish a new 500-seat Ballarat Technical and Customer Support Centre in the city by the end of this year.Yesterday's announcement was one of the largest single job-creating ventures in Ballarat's history and was the result of six months' work between the City of Ballarat and Vertex.While the site of the new centre - which will be the Asia-Pacific hub of the company - was not disclosed yesterday, it was announced it would be situated "just outside the city centre".For the third time in 10 days, Premier John Brumby was in Ballarat to make a good news announcement for the region, this time the Vertex centre.Mr Brumby said Vertex's investment in Ballarat was a major win for the city and had been backed by support from the state government. "I congratulate Vertex on its decision to invest in the growing, thriving centre of Ballarat, which is fast gaining a reputation both in Australia and overseas as an information and communication technology hub," the premier said. Vertex's customer support centre will deliver the 600 new jobs over the next three years, with the company expected to inject $15thmillion into the regional economy annually.Mr Brumby was joined by Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan and Vertex chief executive Phil Allan at the University of Ballarat SMB campus to make the Vertex Ballarat Technical and Customer Support Centre announcement. Vertex Australia, previously Peripheral Computer Industries (PCI), is a provider of out-sourced customer management and business services, supporting 45 million consumers globally. It is part of UK-based Vertex Group, which has 9000 employees across 70 locations worldwide.The company provides IT and business services to multi-national companies and a variety of services from IT technical support, sales and marketing campaigns, project management and customer service. Ms Allan said Vertex's investment in Ballarat would deliver more jobs and more opportunities for families living in the Ballarat region. "The Ballarat centre will provide Vertex with a stable workforce and also greater opportunities for mature-age employees seeking to develop new and transferable skills, which is great for the prosperity of our regional centres and surrounding smaller towns," Ms Allan said. As company CEO, Mr Allan said Vertex was excited to be investing in Ballarat. "Ballarat has a reputation has being a leader in information and communication technology and Vertex has confidence in the economic prosperity of regional Victoria which has enabled us to make this important and very significant investment in this region," Mr Allan said. Ballarat City Council and the state government made a joint investment to secure Vertex's commitment to the Ballarat operation.Ballarat Mayor Judy Verlin was delighted to welcome the internationally-renowned company."This major investment is life-changing for hundreds of regional families who will gain quality mid-range jobs. It represents a strong, long-term commitment to Ballarat by a leading international company."She said the 600 new positions would help rebuild the city after the loss of many jobs in recent years."Ballarat was not immune to the effects of the global economic downturn, but Ballarat is a resilient community and council has worked hard to secure 600 new jobs in our city. Vertex Australia offers stable, quality employment for job-seekers of all abilities," the mayor said."This investment will inject big money into our economy with local retail, businesses and services set to benefit enormously from the increased spending that 600 new jobs brings to Ballarat."Councillor Verlin hinted that yesterday's announcement was the first of many job commitments for the region. "Watch this space ... Ballarat is open for business."Committee for Ballarat CEO Tony Chew was pleased with the jobs announcement."In general, (these jobs) will ensure that Ballarat is open for business. This is a big opportunity to attract a number of other businesses to Ballarat."Expect more to come, as we are just getting the ball rolling," he said.