BT is expecting to create more than 60 new apprenticeship and graduate jobs in Scotland as part of a major nationwide recruitment drive. Locations where the new recruits are expected to be based include Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
The company is casting its net across the UK for around 300 top science, technology and business graduates who want to build their careers in the IT and telecom sector with one of the UK’s leading investors in research and development. Some 730 apprenticeships will also be offered to UK school and college leavers in the areas of engineering, software design, IT support, finance and logistics.
BT has also created a new digital media technology apprenticeship that will provide new recruits with experience and skills in web development, digital networks, digital TV and digital media distribution.
BT also announced today its commitment to the UK employer-led initiative ‘Movement to Work’, aimed at tackling youth unemployment, by pledging to provide up to 1,500 vocational training and work experience placements for out of work youngsters over the next 18 months.
Gavin Patterson, chief executive of BT, said: “This is a tough time in the job market, with almost a million young people across the UK struggling to find work. Every company needs to play its part in ensuring that Britain’s future workforce isn’t impaired by long-term unemployment.
“BT has an exciting future ahead of it, investing in the UK’s high speed broadband infrastructure, and advances in television and digital media. Through new apprenticeships, graduate training and the Movement to Work programme, we want thousands of young people in Britain to share in this future.”
Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance, said: “Since taking office as the UK’s first Minister for Youth Employment, I have been focused on asking employers in Scotland’s digital sector to make young people their business and many hundreds have answered the call, fully aware that offering a young person the chance to help build their business is the smart thing to do.
“I am very pleased to see that BT shares the Scottish Government’s commitment in this area and that a number of these posts will be based in Scotland. I look forward to meeting BT’s young trainees next month and finding out how talented young scots will benefit from this development a key sector for Scottish economic growth.”
Technology graduates and technical apprentices will be able to work on a range of cutting edge projects, including the future of broadcasting and wireless technology, Big Data and the Internet of Things, as well as helping pioneer new developments in high speed fibre communication networks.
Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, said: “This latest recruitment is great news for Scotland. It is another example of BT’s commitment as one of the country’s largest private sector employers and investors. Providing the opportunity for people to build lasting and rewarding careers – as well as our major multi million pound investments in sophisticated technology, such as fibre optic broadband – will play a vital role in the nation’s future success.”
BT is one of the UK’s leading investors in research and development, investing £3.7 billion in research and development over the last five years. In addition, the company is investing more than £3 billion to roll-out fibre broadband across the UK.
Other posts will be available around the UK, including training as Openreach engineers, finance, customer service and business development roles.
BT also today pledged to provide up to 1,500 vocational training and work experience placements for out of work youngsters over the next 18 months. As part of Movement to Work, a UK employer-led initiative, backed by the Prince’s Trust and the Government, BT will offer 18-24 year-olds four-to-seven week-long work placements combining vocational training, employability skills and work experience and, where possible, link this into the company’s future recruitment plans.
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