BT Creates 1,000 New UK Apprenticeships and Graduate Jobs

A further 1,000 vocational and work experience placements to be provided by BT for out of work youngsters in 2015/16 

BT today announced it is creating 1,000 new apprenticeships and graduate jobs for young people this year, in a recruitment boost for the UK. The new recruits to BT will work in a range of areas, including software development, IT, engineering and digital technology. 

Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the 700 apprenticeship and 300 graduate jobs that will be created across the UK, in areas such as London, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds. 

In addition to the new apprenticeships, BT also today reiterated its commitment to tackling youth unemployment, by providing up to 1,000 vocational training and work experience placements for out of work youngsters in 2015/16. 

A number of BT's apprentices will also begin new Degree Apprenticeships, which start this September, allowing them to complete full Honours degrees, while working. Careers ranging from business analysis to software development and technology consultancy will be available at BT, as part of the new Government and industry-backed scheme, which integrates degree level academic learning with practical on-the-job training.

Welcoming the announcement, Prime Minister, The Rt Hon David Cameron said: "I'm delighted that BT is creating 1,000 new apprenticeships and graduate jobs. Today's announcement underlines BT's commitment to training young people and gives them the security of a monthly pay packet and the chance of a better future. 

"Backing those who want to work hard and get on with the skills they need to succeed is a key part of our long-term economic plan to secure Britain's recovery."

Business Secretary, The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, said: "These new apprenticeships from BT will give hundreds of young people and adults the chance to begin a successful career at one of the country's leading employers. 

"Apprenticeships are a fast-track route in to the workplace, and can take you almost anywhere, even offering the chance to gain a degree on the job." 

Gavin Patterson, Chief Executive of BT, said: "The UK's future as a technology leader hinges on young people getting the skills, support and training they need to create successful careers in science, engineering and IT. 

"I'm thrilled that BT will be offering so many opportunities for apprentices, graduates and trainees this year, and that they will start their careers at such an exciting time in the company's history. These new recruits will have the opportunity to work in fields such as technology research, engineering, IT and TV, helping to create and build the next generation of communications technologies for the UK."

A large number of the apprenticeship and graduate intake will be based at BT's world-recognised research campus Adastral Park, near Ipswich, in Suffolk. The research centre is at the forefront of developing the world's future communications networks and services, which includes world-leading work on ultrafast broadband. 

This means many apprentices and graduates will be working on projects developing the future of broadband, broadcasting, wireless and mobile technologies. BT recently announced the ambition to transform the UK broadband landscape from superfast to ultrafast using cutting-edge G.fast technology. This is being developed at Adastral Park and will help BT deliver ultrafast speeds of up to 500Mbps to most of the UK within a decade. 

A third of the new apprentices will be recruited into BT's Openreach division. The recruits will be focussed on extending our fibre network, improving service, and keeping Britain connected. 

Clive Selley, Chief Executive of BT Technology, Service & Operations, which will be hiring a large number of the apprentices and graduates, said: "I'm delighted that BT is able to create so many new career opportunities for school and university leavers across the UK. These are exciting times for BT as we make further advances in high speed broadband, mobile, sport and digital television, and our new recruits will be at the heart of the company's transformation. 

"Through apprenticeships, graduate training and our work experience and traineeship programmes, there are a wide range of fantastic routes available for young people to create fulfilling, exciting careers at BT. This includes our new Degree Apprenticeships, which can lead to full Honours degree qualifications." 

BT also said today that it will continue to provide traineeships to out of work youngsters, as a founding member of the UK employer-led initiative Movement to Work. These traineeships will be for young people aged 18-24-years-old and combine four to seven week long work placements involving vocational training, employability skills and work experience. 

The 1,000 apprenticeship and graduate jobs announced today are in addition to the 1,000 the company created last year and yet another example of BT investing in the future of the UK.