BT Wholesale chooses Hull for state-of-the-art new network centre
BT Wholesale has chosen to locate a state-of-the art network management and operations centre at new offices on the Willerby Hill Business Park in Hull.
The centre has been fitted out with the very latest technology and will enable BT to provide network monitoring, planning, provisioning and engineering to communications companies, including KCOM Group.
Already, five new apprentices have been recruited from the local area and are working within the operations teams to gain experience in their new roles. It is hoped that further recruitment will take place in the coming months.
BT Wholesale provides services to around 1,400 communications companies across the UK. After having considered a number of potential UK sites for the new centre, it chose Hull partly because of the skills and expertise of the local BT workforce.BT Wholesale already employs more than 157 people in Yorkshire and the Humber, of which around 85 are based in the East Riding.
Kevin Murphy, managing director of BT Wholesale customer service, said: “We have a longstanding relationship with KCOM having provided services and support for their network for the past six years.
“The time was right to establish a dedicated centre to continue supporting KCOM’s business needs and also the needs of some of our other customers. Not only was this an opportunity to expand and enhance the services we already provide to KCOM but also to potentially grow our business.
“Our Hull workforce already had such an exceptionally high level of knowledge and a wide-ranging skill base that it made absolute sense to take advantage of it. Willerby Hill enabled us to bring together our workforce in one location, recruit new people and provide staff and customers alike with fantastic state-of-the-art facilities.”
One of the recently recruited apprentices is 19 year old Sam Fullard from Hessle. He said: “I had always wanted to work in engineering but after leaving school ended up working in property management at an estate agent. When I saw the job advert for the engineering apprenticeship I jumped at the chance to apply.
“It has turned out to be a brilliant decision. I love the job. Each day is different and offers new challenges. Not only is it a job I enjoy but I’m earning a salary as well as learning and gaining qualifications. I would absolutely recommend apprenticeships as they open up endless experiences and career opportunities.”
Sean Royce, managing director of technology, service and operations at KCOM Group, said: “BT Wholesale’s investment in its Willerby Hill offices is great news, not just for us as a customer but for the East Riding more generally, as it will lead to more high-quality employment opportunities for local people.
“Over the past three years our KC brand has taken on more than 20 apprentices who are pursuing careers in communications technology. The expansion of BT Wholesale’s activities in the region will give more of the region’s young people a chance to take their first steps in this increasingly attractive industry.”
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