Wales to Benefit from BT Plans to Create 1,000 New Apprenticeship and Graduate Jobs
Latest Locations for Recruitment include Cardiff and Swansea
BT today announced that Wales is to benefit from plans to create 1,000 new apprenticeships and graduate jobs in the UK this year. 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 in locations across the UK, including Cardiff and Swansea and North Wales.
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. Locations for the training and work experience will include Bangor and Colwyn Bay.
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.”
Ann Beynon, BT Director for Wales, said: “This announcement is great news for our country. It provides new opportunities for our young people, who are essential to the future success and prosperity of Wales.
“These are exciting times. Technology is developing at an astonishingly fast pace and the major, multi million pound investments currently taking place in superfast fibre broadband and other initiatives are changing for the better the way we live and work. Our new recruits will be at the heart of BT’s transformation as we make further advances in high-speed broadband, mobile, sport and digital television. As one of the region’s largest private sector employers and investors, BT is committed to playing a leading role in the future success of Wales.”
A third of the new apprentices will be recruited into BT's local network business, Openreach. The recruits will be focussed on extending the fibre network, improving service, and keeping Britain connected.
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 to 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.
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Notes to Editors:
- Further information on BT’s Apprenticeship Scheme can be found here: http://www.btplc.com/Careercentre/Ourlocations/UK/Apprenticeships/index.htm
- Graduates can apply for roles at BT at: http://www.btgraduates.com
• For further details about Movement to Work: http://www.movementtowork.com/
