Openreach has announced it will create around 250 additional jobs across Wales during 2022.
The national broadband and telephone network say new recruits will be based across all parts of Wales including Denbighshire, Flintshire, Powys, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport.
The large employment is to help the company to reach 25 million UK homes and businesses by December 2026.
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With a workforce of around 2,300 across Wales, Openreach employs the nation’s largest team of telecoms engineers and professionals.
They have committed to building a more diverse and inclusive team in an industry that’s traditionally been very white, male dominated.
Last year, around 50 female trainee engineers were recruited in Wales, with 600 being employed across the UK.
Openreach are aiming for at least 20 percent of its trainee engineer recruits to be women this year, with 50 percent of its external hires into management also to be women by 2025.
Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach, said: “Openreach is 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.
“We’re rightly recognised as one of the best big companies to work for in Wales 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 Wales and the rest of the UK, covering millions of rural and urban homes.”
The new roles offer a very competitive starting salary and long-term career prospects, candidates don’t need any formal qualifications to apply.
But applicants must have a driving license, a strong work ethic, great customer service skills and an enthusiasm to work outdoors.
Last year, Openreach’s National Learning Centre for Wales in Newport was officially opened by the First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford, and expects to train up to 6,000 new and existing Openreach engineers from across Wales, as well as further afield, during a typical year.
Vaughan Gething, Wales’ Economy Minister, said: “The Welsh Government wants to create a fairer and more prosperous Wales, where nobody is left behind. So I’m delighted Openreach are creating 250 new jobs across Wales, supporting our aim of creating new high-quality jobs in the industries and services of the future.
“I’m also delighted see more than 200 new, high-quality apprenticeships being created, providing invaluable opportunities for people from all sectors of society to start a rewarding career in engineering. This will support our mission of ensuring people are able to make their future here in Wales.”
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