Shropshire to play role in BT jobs boost
New apprenticeship and graduate jobs in Shropshire will be offered by BT, it was revealed today.
The telecoms giant announced it would take on 1,400 apprentices and graduates in roles across the UK to ensure the country remains one of the world's leading digital economies.
Roles will range from cybersecurity and software development to research and innovation.
The number will include 30 in the West Midlands including in Shrewsbury and at the company's international monitoring centre in Oswestry.
They will be spread across the company with mobile phone operator EE and BT's local network business, Openreach, both taking on large numbers, as will BT's research and development arm.
BT is investing billions of pounds on the roll out of superfast fibre broadband and some of the new recruits will work on that programme as the company seeks to help the UK maintain its leading position among major European nations.
Gavin Patterson, chief executive of BT, said: "The news furthers BT's commitment to equipping the next generation with the skills and training needed to meet the challenges the UK faces in the coming years with the development of new digital technologies.
"Technology is changing all the time and companies need to support and train young people to develop the skills required for successful careers in essential areas such as science, engineering and IT. The UK has been ranked as the leading digital economy in the G20 for the past five years, and our investment in these people will help this continue."
Regional director for the West Midlands, Colin Bannon, said: "These apprenticeships and graduate jobs offer great opportunities for people in the West Midlands to be part of one of the world's most exciting and rapidly-developing industries and of of Britain's leading firms."
