BT launches hunt for 130 grads and apprentices in Northern Ireland

BT is creating 130 new apprenticeship and graduate jobs across Northern Ireland as part of a new UK-wide drive to recruit the best tech talent available.

The company aims to employ more than 1,300 people across the UK in a number of different roles - from TV production, engineering, customer service and cyber-security to help tackle the growing threat of cyber-crime.

In Northern Ireland, the 130 new recruits will be located in Belfast, Derry, Coleraine, Dungannon, Enniskillen and Newry.The new roles include Tech Design, Tech Operations, Software, IT, Sales, Finance, Customer Experience and Engineering.

BT is one of the first UK companies to use virtual reality technology as a way of recruiting, as it looks at innovative techniques in how it attracts the best graduates.

The assessment process will involve candidates being asked to complete a series of virtual reality “Crystal Maze” style tasks. BT will assess candidates based on three measures which comprise analytical skills, how they handle change, as well as their drive and enthusiasm to get tasks completed.

The latest recruitment drive includes BT’s engineering division, NI Networks, which will be taking on 30 apprentices over the next 12 months.

BT Group is one of the UK’s largest employers with 82,800 people based in the UK – including over 2,700 regular staff in Northern Ireland*.

Many of the apprentices will also achieve foundation and full degrees as part of their work at BT, while some graduates will also achieve fully funded qualifications. The scheme is delivered in partnership with local colleges and universities to ensure that apprentices and graduates receive the best education for their area of focus, as well as the hands-on experience and training.

BT has a commitment to helping people and meeting the demands for innovation and digital skills in the UK. The company is also showing this through its Work Ready programme which was launched in 2014 specifically for NEETS (not in education, employment or training). To date more than 3,500 people from around the UK have participated and more than half have gone on to either gain employment or return to education. The programme is part of BT’s wider Tech Literacy initiative to inspire people in the UK to embrace the role technology plays in their lives.

Gavin Patterson, Chief Executive of BT, said: “We’re proud to be leading the industry by investing in training a huge number of people in the digital skills that the UK economy so vitally needs.

“BT has a rich history of innovation, and it’s an incredibly exciting time to be joining the company as we look towards growing our cyber-security business, developing 5G technologies and enhanced TV content.”

“Our apprenticeship and graduate scheme will equip people with the skills and on the job training they will need to succeed in the future.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming all our new recruits into the business.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• BT currently employs 2743 regular staff in Northern Ireland.The total NI workforce is 3,596 – including third-party contractors.

Further information on BT’s Apprenticeship Scheme can be found here: https://www.btplc.com/Careercentre/earlycareers/apprentices/howtoapply/index.htm

For more information please contact Rosy Billingham, PR Manager for BT in Northern Ireland on 07968 904635 or email: rosy.billingham@bt.com

About BT

BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services.BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Consumer, EE, Business and Public Sector, Global Services, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, BT Group’s reported revenue was £24,062m with reported profit before taxation of £2,354m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.