BT creates 190 broadband jobs

BT is set to create an extra 190 engineering jobs in Wales as they look to roll out fibre optic broadband throughout the country. The telecommunications giant is looking to recruit in the Pembrokeshire area, especially Fishguard and Haverfordwest. They said they are also interested in recruiting in Cardigan and Carmarthen. BTs local network business Openreach has already made fibre broadband available to more than 19 million UK homes and businesses – some two thirds of the UK. Across the UK, Openreach expects to recruit 1,600 engineers. As more and more people rely on the internet, they have rising expectations of reliability. The new engineers will help Openreach to continue to improve customer service as it strives to install new lines and fix faults more quickly. Ann Beynon, BT director for Wales, said “Not only are we building a superfast broadband network, which is giving a major boost to Welsh households and businesses, we are creating highly skilled local jobs offering exciting careers, such as those announced today. “Working with our partners in the public sector we are determined to ensure that Wales is in the best position possible to take full advantage of the superfast broadband revolution.” Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Supporting business, creating jobs and providing a better future for hardworking people is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan. “So I am delighted that BT is launching this major recruitment drive for 1,600 engineers across the UK, providing financial security for families and delivering a world classinfrastructure for Britain.” BT has stated it expects a number of their engineering roles to be filled by ex-service men and women, and they are particularly interested in recruiting female engineers. Recruitment for the new roles is already underway in parts of the country, and people interested in applying for the posts should go to www.openreach.co.uk/careers Local MP, Stephen Crabb, has welcomed yesterday’s announcement that BT plan to recruit in Pembrokeshire as part of a UK-wide initiative to speed up the roll-out of superfast broadband. The recruitment drive will see 190 new jobs created in Wales, with both Haverfordwest and Fishguard identified as potential recruitment hot spots. Since the Superfast Cymru scheme began, more than 100,000 Welsh homes and businesses have been connected to superfast broadband. However, Stephen has raised concerns about the Welsh Government’s prioritisation of the roll-out, which seems to have left rural areas such as Pembrokeshire at the back of the queue. Although some parts of Pembrokeshire are due to be connected next month, many in the north of the County still have not received a roll-out date. It is hoped that taking on more engineers will speed up the process. Commenting on the announcement, Stephen said, “This announcement is good news for Pembrokeshire. I’ve consistently raised my concerns with both BT and the Welsh Government about the slow roll-out of the scheme in rural areas and I hope that taking on more local engineers will go some way to address this imbalance. In 2014 it is unacceptable for any area to be cut off from fast broadband and it is understandably a source of real frustration for many local businesses and families.” “I’m pleased that BT are addressing the issue as well as making a very welcome contribution to the skilled jobs market in Pembrokeshire.”