Openreach announced a major expansion of its engineering workforce with plans to recruit 1,500 trainees as part of its drive to improve customer service and invest in the operation of its network.
Over the next eight months, the business will be seeking recruits from across the country to fill the new, full-time and permanent roles which are focussed on extending its fibre broadband network, improving customer service and keeping Britain connected.
In a ground-breaking approach to recruitment, potential candidates will be able to discover exactly what life as a field engineer involves, with the help of virtual reality (VR). The company is trialling a VR experience which enables interested applicants to don a headset and experience climbing a telephone pole or exploring the local exchange building in immersive 3D, from the perspective of a real engineer.
It is expected that an initial intake of 119 recruits will join the company in April, followed by around 60 new recruits joining each week through to mid-October. New trainees will embark on a tailored 12 month accredited learning programme - including on-the-job experience and culminating with the attainment of an externally recognised qualification for IT, Software and Telecoms professionals, said Openreach.
Kevin Brady, HR Director for Openreach
Everyone wonders what it might be like to work for a company when they apply for a job, but we’re giving people the ability to physically see it and experience it for themselves. We get people from all walks of life applying for roles at Openreach and an increasing number of women wanting to be engineers, which is fantastic.
