Business

BT to recruit 26 more graduates and apprentices in Northern Ireland

BT is hiring 26 staff in Northern Ireland as part of a UK-wide drive to recruit more than 600 apprentices and graduates
BT is hiring 26 staff in Northern Ireland as part of a UK-wide drive to recruit more than 600 apprentices and graduates BT is hiring 26 staff in Northern Ireland as part of a UK-wide drive to recruit more than 600 apprentices and graduates

TELECOMS giant BT will recruit 26 apprentices and graduates in Northern Ireland this year in roles including engineering, customer service, applied research and cyber-security.

It is part of wider BT plans take on more than 600 people at a number of UK locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Dundee, Glasgow, Ipswich, London and Manchester.

And the recruits will also support the company's plans to build and extend its 5G network around the UK.

BT Group is one of the UK's largest private sector apprenticeship employers and has recruited more than 2,000 apprentices and graduates over the past three years.

Debbie White, chief human resources officer at BT Group, said: "BT is at the heart of the UK's digital economy and as one of the largest employers of graduates and apprentices in the UK, we offer unparalleled development opportunities.

"Despite the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we've continued to recruit and attract brilliant people into our business.

"The combination of our hybrid working approach and our state-of-the-art offices makes BT a great place for new joiners to learn new skills and capabilities, collaborate with colleagues and bring innovative thinking to drive growth across our business and deliver for all of our customers. It's a very exciting time to join BT."

Ann McGregor, chief executive at the NI Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is great to see BT continuing to invest in local talent. Providing apprentice opportunities and graduate roles which will develop digital skill-sets is exactly what we need to prepare Northern Ireland’s economy for the future.”

Local recent graduate PJ Bowman said: “I am an advocate of both BT’s placement and graduate schemes. I initially joined as a placement student during my degree, returning on the HR graduate programme and it was one of the best decisions that I have made.

“It is such an interesting job, no two days are ever the same! It has given me so many learning opportunities to broaden my skill set with access to valuable resources that can be used for development and growth across the business.”

Alongside its apprenticeship and graduate scheme opportunities, BT is also investing in several initiatives to support young job-seekers.

These include BT’s Work Ready training scheme and FastFutures which have already helped thousands of young people kick-start their careers, providing opportunities for young people who aren't in employment, education or training and preparing them for the world of work.