Talent is everywhere: creating more inclusive routes into work
By Nicola Luke, Senior Manager, Next Generation Strategy & Programmes and Sofia George, Business Transformation Delivery Apprentice
| Nicola Luke: |
At BT, we know that embracing different voices, perspectives and experiences helps us become more innovative, more resilient and better able to serve our people, customers and communities. While talent is everywhere, we recognise that opportunity is not always equally accessible. That is why we are working to remove barriers for the next generation of talent through more inclusive early careers recruitment, giving candidates a fair opportunity to show their potential. Apprenticeships can open routes into work for people with different backgrounds, experiences and starting points, while helping organisations build the skills they need for the future. The best way to understand why this matters is to hear from someone who has experienced the process first-hand. Sofia George, 19, recently joined BT on 7 September as a Business Transformation Delivery Apprentice. |
Here Sofia shares what brought her to BT, what made the recruitment process feel different and what she hopes comes next:
Why an apprenticeship felt right for me
I initially considered studying law at university. Before joining BT, I worked at a law firm, providing operational and administrative support. However, I realised that I wanted to gain practical experience alongside a qualification.
An apprenticeship offered the chance to learn, develop my skills and contribute at the same time. Joining BT as an apprentice also gave me the opportunity to be part of a trusted organisation at the forefront of innovation.
A chance to show my potential
I have dyslexia and have sometimes found traditional application processes challenging because of the way questions are phrased, the need to process large amounts of information and the pressure of working under assessment conditions.
BT’s application process stood out from others I had experienced. The chat-based assessment felt different from traditional psychometric testing. It gave me more opportunity to show my personality, strengths and approach, rather than being judged mainly on how I performed in a traditional test.
Feeling supported from the start
I also appreciated the support from Nic Howells, Early Careers Manager. She contacted me beforehand to understand my accessibility needs and what adjustments would help. Knowing what to expect made the process feel much more accessible and inclusive.
The team then called me personally to tell me I had been successful, which made receiving the offer particularly special.
Before my first day, the Early Careers recruitment team, my peer buddy and my line manager helped me feel welcome. Starting at a large organisation can be daunting, but I felt included and supported from the beginning.
Knowing that I can ask questions, be myself and access support has given me confidence that I can succeed here. I am most excited about learning from the people around me, growing professionally and seeing where the experience takes me.
Back yourself and give it a go
It can be challenging for young people to apply for opportunities that feel unfamiliar. My advice is to just give it a go.
Being open, flexible and honest can lead to great experiences. Do not compare yourself too much with others or let challenges limit you. Everyone has different strengths and their own journey, so focus on what you can bring.
Opening opportunities to more people
| Nicola Luke: |
Sofia’s experience shows what inclusive recruitment can look like in practice and we are delighted to welcome her to BT. We will continue to collaborate and build on the changes made to our early careers recruitment process. These include untimed assessments, quiet spaces and neurodiversity-friendly resources at assessment centres. Preparation packs and candidate coaching resources are also helping to level the playing field for applicants, while every candidate who declares a disability receives proactive support from our recruiters. We are seeing encouraging progress. More women are joining us through our early careers programmes, with representation increasing from 30% to 42%, and more candidates are choosing to share that they have a disability, increasing from 7% to 13%. These changes matter because inclusion is not about numbers for their own sake. It is about removing barriers, recognising potential in different forms and bringing a wider range of perspectives into BT so we can make better decisions, create better experiences and better reflect the customers and communities we serve. While we are encouraged by this progress, we know there is still more to learn and do. We will keep listening to candidates, learning from their experiences and adapting our approach so more people have a fair chance to show what they can bring. During National Inclusion Week, Sofia’s story is a reminder that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. At BT, we’re committed to opening opportunities to a broader range of talent. We are also working to build a workplace where our people feel heard and supported and are able to thrive when they join us. |
