BT Group has announced that it will recruit more than 600 apprentices and graduates for its September intake this year.
Places will be available in areas including cybersecurity, software engineering and customer service.
The new roles will be based at BT Group’s sites including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Ipswich, Leeds, London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Warrington.
BT has recruited more than 3,000 apprentices and graduates over the past five years.
Athalie Williams, chief human resources officer at BT Group, said, “I’m incredibly proud of the opportunities we provide to develop new talent at BT Group and recognise the valuable contributions graduates and apprentices bring to the workforce.
“Last year alone, we recruited around 500 apprentices and graduates, all eager to learn, develop their skills, and help deliver better experiences for our customers.”
Last year, BT launched a new apprenticeship fund aimed at supporting smaller companies, charities and public sector organisations across England, who can access up to £4 million in funding over an initial four-year period.
Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, said, “Apprenticeships are central to this Government’s Plan for Change – they break down barriers to opportunity and equip people of all ages and backgrounds with the skills they need to go on to rewarding careers.
“They also drive growth by giving businesses the workforce they need in key sectors of the economy.
“It’s great to see BT Group, one of our Top 100 apprentice employers, backing this mission by recruiting more than 600 apprentices and graduates.”
Separately, BT’s new multi-million pound Dundee office was opened by Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney this week.
The new office, which is located at West Marketgait in the city centre, will accommodate around 1,000 employees from across BT’s consumer and business divisions.
The building has been developed as part of the company’s Better Workplace Programme, a workplace improvement and consolidation scheme.
In September 2023, the group completed its multi-million pound refurbishment of its Glasgow office, situated on the Clydeside, where around 2,000 people are based.
Swinney met with BT teams who are helping businesses to upgrade their connectivity and digitise their operations, workers who handle operator assistance and directory enquiry calls, and guides who take orders for BT’s consumer fibre broadband and mobile services.
The First Minister also heard about the company’s apprenticeship programme, with a new local cohort due to start in March. The company is also recruiting for full-time roles in its sales teams in Dundee, working in partnership with local schools and Discover Work Dundee, who offer assistance to those seeing employment.
Swinney, said, “The opening of this new office is an important moment in Dundee's remarkable economic transformation, reflecting Scotland's commitment to digital innovation, growth and opportunity. BT's decision to invest in Dundee is a powerful statement of confidence in the city and Scotland. It secures around 1,000 local jobs, providing good opportunities for apprentices and workers to develop their skills and drive forward their careers.”
Allison Kirkby, chief executive, BT Group, said, “As one of the largest private sector employers in Scotland I’m excited to see our Dundee office open for business. Our investment in this state-of-the-art office will help us to retain and attract the best people as we transform BT to give better service to our customers, while supporting the broader regeneration of Dundee.