More than 5,000 UK jobs created for fibre network build
Openreach, the access network division of BT Group, is creating 5,300 UK-based engineering jobs, to be filled this year.
The new roles, located throughout the country, are designed to help the firm build, and connect customers to, its new full-fibre broadband network at an accelerated pace.
The expansion includes more than 2,500 full-time jobs in its service and network build divisions, as well as an estimated 2,800 positions in its UK supply chain, through partner companies Kellys Group, Instalcom, Kier, KN, MJ Quinn, Morrisons, Telent, John Henry Group and NMCN. These subcontractor roles include 1,600 in service delivery, 700 in chief engineering, and 500 in fibre network and delivery.
The move comes as Openreach celebrates reaching a record build rate for its full-fibre broadband programme, which aims to reach 20 million homes and businesses by the mid-to-late 2020s. The company says that engineers are now delivering to another 40,000 homes and businesses every week, or the equivalent of a home every 15 seconds.
Chancellor, Rishi Sunak said of the recruitment drive: ‘Throughout this crisis I've been clear that our number one economic priority is to protect jobs so I'm delighted to welcome this announcement of 5,000 new skilled roles.’
Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden added: ‘The plans are a huge step forward in our national mission to level up Britain's digital infrastructure and, alongside the government's £5bn investment, will make sure even the hardest-to-reach areas get a lightning fast gigabit broadband connection.’
Openreach CEO, Clive Selley, concluded: ‘As a major employer and infrastructure builder, we believe Openreach can play a leading role in helping the UK to build back better and greener. Our full-fibre network build is going faster than ever and we’re now looking for thousands more people to build a career with Openreach and help us upgrade broadband connections and continue improving service levels.’
