Work programme gives an insight into life as an Openreach engineer
Jobseekers in Nottingham are hoping valuable experience gained with BT’s local network business Openreach will give them a better chance of finding employment in the future.
Four rookie recruits have just been presented with a certificate and job reference after completing an eight week placement organised through Jobcentre Plus and in partnership with Nottingham City Council.
It’s hoped the experience gained will be a valuable addition to their CVs and could help secure permanent jobs in the future.
Anne Heal, managing director for BT volunteering, said: “The life of an engineer from Openreach is interesting and varied. They come across many different situations that require considerable skill and the ability to think and act quickly. I’d like to congratulate the four people who completed the programme in Nottingham and hope they’re able to put their new skills and experience to good use in the future.”
The placement gave the four recruits the chance to buddy up with an Openreach engineer, visiting residential and business customers throughout Nottinghamshire.
It provided a chance for them to learn new practical skills and observe the engineer installing new phone lines as well as identifying and then fixing faults.
Arran Huseyin, from Basford in Nottingham said: “I found this programme really useful as it’s given me really good experience and insight into the work of an engineer. I was pleased to be able to complete this voluntary placement as it’s a great way to help get me back into work. The experience with Openreach and the references I have been given will really help when applying for jobs.”
Arran was teamed up with Openreach engineer Luke Murden who said: “Arran is very keen and motivated towards work. He is very hard working and does things without needing to be asked. He has great customer service skills within a domestic and commercial environment and is very polite towards everybody. He has sturdy life goals and knows where he wants to go. This has been a nice experience and I wish the best to Arran in finding work.”
The placements were organised following recent work between BT and Nottingham City Council who are joining forces to make free wi-fi available across much of the city centre later this year.
Chris Henning, director of economic development for Nottingham City Council, commented: “The Nottingham Jobs Hub service is committed to working to connect local residents with employers and job opportunities that come to the city as a result of large infrastructure projects. The transformation of the city centre into a wi-fi hotspot is a key project in our vision of Nottingham as a connected, business friendly city, so it’s fantastic that the project has also given work placement opportunities in a blue-chip company to some of our residents.”
BT has an active volunteering programme and has been working with Jobcentre Plus since 2011 to provide these opportunities throughout the United Kingdom.
Suitable recruits were initially identified by Jobcentre Plus and invited to an open day and interview. They then spent a couple of days being inducted and learning about health and safety, before being paired up with an engineer.
For more information about careers as an engineer with Openreach please visit www.btplc.com and visit ‘careers’.
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