BT to create 1,000 new jobs at Openreach

BT plans to launch a new recruitment drive, which will create more than 1,000 engineering jobs for the telco's Openreach business.

The positions will be divided among 400 apprentices, 200 armed forces personnel, as well as the long-term unemployed.

Many of the new recruits will be responsible for installing fibre broadband in customers' homes.

Ian Livingston, chief executive of BT, said the apprenticeships will be aimed at young people and include a training scheme of two and a half years.

Apprentices will focus on installing fibre broadband during their first year, before going on to learn a full range of engineering tasks. Training also includes academic studies in maths, English and ICT.

They will also earn a BTEC Level 3 Diploma and Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles after completing their training.

Livingston said, as part of its armed forces recruitment plans, Openreach intends to work closely with the Ministry of Defence and Careers Transition Partnership to attract staff.

This recruitment scheme is to support BT's 2.5 billion investment in building out the UK's fibre broadband network, which it claims is being made accessible to 100,000 extra homes and businesses each week.

In addition to the 1,000 new positions, BT has recruited 1,500 engineers over the past 12 months.

Prime Minister David Cameron said, in a statement, that he warmly welcomes BT's latest recruitment push.

"Providing much faster broadband speeds, and enabling millions more homes and businesses to enjoy these speeds is vital for driving investment and equipping the UK to compete and thrive in the global race," he continued.