KCom is launching a major recruitment drive to fill 40 new customer service roles to support its growing network, as parent company Macquarie prepares to back further growth.
The Hull-based phone and broadband provider is expanding the team for a second time in a year to cope with rising demand, as it continues to expand its footprint across Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
And, to make the roles more attractive in what is a highly competitive market for quality applicants, the company has raised starting salaries to £21,000.
Read more: Government to download digital cash on Humber as skills partnership launches
Jessica Port, KCom’s head of customer, said: “We’ve already recruited and trained dozens of customer service advisors this year, but our expansion means we’re already on the lookout for more quality individuals to join the KCom family.
“We know it’s an incredibly competitive market for employers as we come out of the pandemic and people are re-evaluating their work lives and what they want from a job. That’s why we’ve increased our starting salaries alongside all the employee perks, benefits, discounts and flexibility that working for a major local employer like KCom can offer.
“This is also great news for the local economy as we look to recruit more people from the local communities we serve. As a business that’s been based in this region for more than 100 years we‘re proud that our employees have local knowledge and local connections that set us apart. It makes all the difference when a customer rings up with an issue knowing we’re just down the road ready to help - and not in some faceless call centre miles away.”
The investment comes as the Australian parent announced it is "supporting investment at KCom to expand access to ultra-fast fibre broadband across the North of England and in rural communities through Voneus, a Macquarie-backed business, giving rural English communities access to super-fast wireless broadband and ultra-fast fibre".
It could see it go head-to-head with Quickline Communications - headed by former MD Sean Royce from Hessle.
The strategy forms part of a £12 billion sustainable infrastructure investment, revealed ahead of a roundtable with Australian investors, hosted by the UK Prime Minister to mark the growing strength of the UK-Australia trade and investment relationship.
Macquarie Group managing director and chief executive, Shemara Wikramanayake, said: “The UK was our first destination when we expanded internationally in 1989 and has remained a strong focus for our investment activity ever since. The UK has been a world leader in the positive utilisation of private capital to meet essential infrastructure needs of communities, including as a global leader in investment in the energy transition. We look forward to building on our track record of investment of capital and expertise to deliver the next generation of UK infrastructure.”
Offshore wind is also flagged, with 1.5 GW of new generation capacity off the Lincolnshire coast. Its Green Investment Group is partnering with Total Energies in a Round Four project off the Humber.
As reported, KCom has completed a strategic shift to entirely focus on regional provision after selling off its national ICT business. November saw it pass the 250,000 property milestone as a £100-million expansion programme continues to roll out.
Do you follow BusinessLive Humber on LinkedIn and Twitter? Click and engage to ensure you stay updated
