At least 90 more apprentices to be recruited this year in roles including engineering and customer service

BT expects to create at least 90 new apprenticeships across Scotland this year as part of a major recruitment drive of apprentices across the UK, it was announced today.

Up to 30 posts are planned for BT’s customer contact centre in Dundee and more than 30 engineering posts in BT’s local network business, Openreach, based in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Others will be taken on in areas such as billing and security and other technical and professional roles, with many of these posts based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In addition to the confirmed apprenticeships, Openreach also expects to recruit a number of desk-based technical planning apprentices at BT’s Edinburgh HQ, which will involve planning and designing new installations and repairs on Openreach’s network.

The Dundee customer service apprentices will be part of a rapidly developing operation dealing with a wide range of customer calls, including enquiries about BT Sport, high-speed fibre broadband and mobile communications.

The jobs boost is part of a recent UK-wide BT announcement to create 1,000 new apprenticeships and graduate jobs. The new recruits will join the 133 people already undergoing BT apprenticeships in Scotland.

Dundee’s Telephone House is the base for BT’s biggest customer contact centres in Scotland, employing around 850 customer service advisers and managers and handling some 32,500 enquiries a day.

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, said: “This latest recruitment is great news for Scotland and further confirmation of the vital role played by BT as an innovator, investor and creator of jobs in Scotland. It’s a major vote of confidence in the quality of the Scottish workforce and the abilities and commitment of our apprentices.

“An apprenticeship with one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies is a great way to start a rewarding career, offering first class personal development opportunities.

“BT has a very strong reputation as a leading employer and with major developments such as our multi billion pound investments in superfast broadband, mobile communications, TV and sport, the prospects have never looked brighter or more exciting.”

Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s City Development Committee, said: “We have been strong supporters of creating employment opportunities for young people and adults in the city for many years.

“A key element of the vision for the city created by the Dundee Partnership of which the council is a key member is that we will have a strong and sustainable city economy that will provide jobs for people.

“I am therefore pleased that one of Dundee’s largest private sector employers is recruiting apprentices and I know from previous years that the level of training and support that they will get will prepare them with the skills and experience they need to carve out a rewarding career.”

Further information about customer service apprenticeships and how to apply is available at: http://www.bt.com/apprentices