Member Article

BT recruits former servicemen for Super Fast Broadband rollout

BT has recruited 30 new technicians in County Durham and Tees Valley as part of its roll out of super fast broadband.

Many of the new engineers are ex-armed forces personnel, and will spend the next few weeks completing extensive training before they are placed at the end of January.

Chris Sayers, BT regional director for the North East, said the acceleration of the £2.5 billion programme would help stimulate the economy, drive regional growth and benefit local communities who were keen to experience the technology.

He said: “The new jobs we are announcing today will help us to support and create the digital infrastructure the North East needs for the jobs of tomorrow.

“Our current engineering teams are busy installing fibre broadband across the region at a pace we believe rivals anywhere in the world – and our new recruits will help us take the new technology to even more homes and businesses.

“We have made clear our determination to extend fibre broadband beyond our current commercial deployment plans, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the public sector to reach the more challenging parts of the North East.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the NECC congratulated BT on the initiative. He said: “Delivering super-fast broadband capability to the North East will have a huge impact on our ability to innovate and extend our business reach around the world, building on our success in recent years especially in exporting.

“Employing ex-service personnel demonstrates BT’s recognition of the wealth of talent and strong work ethic amongst our military as well as their determination to play a leading role in the wider community. BT is a role model for others.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .