BT seeks recruits in Sevenoaks to help tackle cyber-crime
Closing date for applications is September 15, 2015
School leavers and mature students have a unique opportunity to build a career tackling cyber-crime with BT Security. The BT Sevenoaks Operations Centre, in Kent, has vacancies for four cyber security apprentices, whilst there are also a limited number of places available in central London.
Applicants for the two and a half year apprenticeships should send their CV, exam results and a summary of why they are applying to: security.profession@bt.com A minimum of three A levels at grades B, B and C are required. The closing date for applications is Tuesday September 15.
Among those currently in the process of successfully finishing their cyber-defence operations technical apprenticeships at BT is Jamal Howell-McKinley, aged 21 from London.He is now in his final year and has already achieved a foundation degree in information communication technology, which BT is sponsoring. Jamal has progressed from school leaver to cyber security professional in just 30 months and in that time experienced many aspects of the company, both in the UK and abroad in Prague.
Jamal said: “There were several reasons why I chose an apprenticeship with BT. One was the rising cost of university tuition fees. They had increased to £9,000 and that would leave me with lot of debt at the end of the course and I also would not be guaranteed a job. I’ve found that my apprenticeship has been a great alternative to university.
“My apprenticeship with BT has helped me earn as I learn. I’ve also qualified for a Level 4 NVQ in ICT for business management.
“It has allowed me to gain the job training and experience as an IT Security professional and I’ve learnt many work skills. BT apprenticeships will guarantee you a future so you can focus on a career path and work your way up the company if that’s the direction you want to go.”
Every apprentice enjoys a benefits package which includes:
- 22 Days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 18 years
- Study Leave for professional exams
- A generous contributory pension
- An opportunity to buy shares with the BT Sharesave scheme
- Discounts from other companies on everything from insurance to computing equipment
- Free Broadband and BT Sport - discounted BT TV is also available
Rob Partridge, BT security academy, said: “At BT Security we are developing a cyber-school and many school leavers have benefitted from BT’s popular apprentice scheme over the years. BT is one of the fastest growing commercial security organisations in the world and our responsibilities are huge. Right now, we’re a truly global business, but our ambitions are to go and grow much further.”
The BT higher apprenticeship equips school leavers and mature students with the skills to thwart cyber-crime, decrypt data and untangle malware. The programme develops a blend of technical skills across digital security, information assurance and risk to help apprentices onto a career path into cyber security. It is designed to build a foundation of skills and knowledge in critical areas, before progressing to deeper specialist skills.
BT will teach and assess the following skills to industry standards ensuring they are applied on the job: Operating systems, information assurance, understanding threats, enterprise IT architecture and cryptography.
Apprentices will also have to go to university, typically for one week out of every four , and will be expected to complete university work in between times. BT aims to create strong teams with a broad set of skills, so the opportunity will offer plenty of opportunities to take part in group projects, team building, social activities and training courses that complement the university work.
