Openreach expansion means new jobs for Highlanders
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Openreach today announced it will create and fill around 500 more Scottish jobs during 2022 – including around 390 apprenticeships – as it continues to invest billions of pounds into its UK broadband network, people and training.
The new recruits will be based across Scotland, including around 40 new posts for the Highlands, working to build and connect customers to the company’s ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband network.
The mammoth build is on track to reach 25 million UK homes and businesses by December 2026 and has already reached more than half a million properties in Scotland.
The hiring spree – 4,000 new jobs are being created across the UK – is part of the largest recruitment drive in Openreach’s history and will also help deliver further improvements in customer satisfaction, which is at a record high.
With a workforce of 3,700 across Scotland, Openreach already employs the nation’s largest team of telecoms engineers and professionals and has committed to building a more diverse and inclusive team in an industry that’s traditionally been very white, male dominated.
Last year, 17 per cent of the company’s intake of trainee engineers in Scotland was female, more than triple the previous year. The boost was thanks partly to employing language experts to transform its job adverts and descriptions, making them gender neutral.
Clive Selley, CEO at Openreach said it was a people business first and foremost: "So I’m proud that we’re continuing to invest heavily in our people, having hired and trained more than 8,000 new engineers over the last two years, over 800 of them across Scotland.
“We’re rightly recognised as one of the best big companies to work for, and we’re determined to stay that way, so we’ve been building state of the art training schools where we can teach people the skills and techniques they need for long, exciting and rewarding careers in engineering.
“We want to reflect the communities we serve and give opportunities to people from all backgrounds, so I’m encouraged that we’ve recruited more women and minority groups this year compared to last year, but we’ve got much more to do in an industry that hasn’t been very diverse historically.
“These new recruits will play a crucial role as we continue to improve services for our customers and build the biggest and best broadband network in Scotland.”
Scottish Government Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Accessing fast and reliable broadband has never been so important. Building on the early success of our Young Person’s Guarantee and our ongoing significant investment in education, employability and skills, these additional 500 high quality jobs being created by Openreach will increase opportunities across Scotland.
“Apprenticeships are a key way for all employers to continue to invest in their workforce, providing core skills the economy needs now and in the future. This is central to the Scottish Government’s immediate priority to lead the country through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic into a recovery that protects and creates jobs and backs our young people.”
Alana Marshall (34) from Dunfermline in Fife was a dog walker before deciding on a change of career. Also a semi-professional footballer, she currently plays for Spartans and has been capped for Scotland six times.
“I’ve always been interested in engineering and wanted to have a good job for my daughter," she said. "I really love getting my hands dirty and with this job you certainly do. I never have two days the same and haven't come across anything I don't like so far! So far I've had positive customer reactions.
"I know I’ll come across some challenges in the future - I’m used to it with playing football. I’d tell other women considering engineering to go for it, never have any doubt that you can’t or shouldn’t be doing a job like this. We are just as capable.”
The new roles offer a "very competitive" starting salary and long-term career prospects, but candidates don’t need any formal qualifications to apply: "All you need is a driving licence, a strong work ethic, great customer service skills and an enthusiasm to work outdoors – Openreach will give you all the equipment and training you need to do the rest. Click here for a full list of employee benefits."
