TWENTY-FOUR BT apprentice and graduate jobs are to be created in Enniskillen.

BT, the telecommunications services company which has an office in Enniskillen, has announced that it is recruiting over 100 new apprentices and graduates in Northern Ireland as part of its companywide drive to equip young people with the skills and training needed to meet the challenges of a changing jobs market.

A company spokeswoman said that the majority of the apprentice roles will be engineering based, while the remainder of apprentice and graduate roles will include customer service, software development, fleet management and supply chain management. The jobs will be spread across Belfast, Londonderry and Enniskillen.

Commenting on the announcement, Mairead Meyer, Managing Director of Networks at BT in Northern Ireland, said: “It is an exciting time to join BT as it continues to invest in ultrafast broadband and the roll out of Superfast fibre broadband. We are also preparing for future technologies, including 5G, and so we want to recruit the very best. Our apprenticeship roles will offer people the hands on experience they need to succeed.
“BT is investing in the next generation, helping to train primary school teachers to teach computer science and recruiting large numbers of apprentices. This is the right thing for us to do if Northern Ireland is to remain a digital leader.”

Scott Gilmore, a recent BT networks apprentice added: “Joining BT was the best decision I ever made. Throughout my life, I have always been interested in doing a hands-on and practical job and was lucky enough to be chosen as an apprentice.
“After a challenging and intensive training course, I began work on the programme. It’s such an interesting job and I have been privileged to learn from the best and to work on some of the most complex broadband jobs across the BT network.

 “BT have a fantastic ‘buddy’ system in place with qualified BT engineers. I have now completed my apprenticeship and I am delighted to be working as a fully qualified fibre optic engineer. I’d encourage everyone to think about applying for this apprenticeship programme and I highly recommend it!”

BT is one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers. A recent report by Regeneris Consulting outlines BT’s economic impact in Northern Ireland. In relation to Fermanagh, the company employs 1,400 people. There are 330 BT and EE Employees and Contractors working locally. BT’s output in Fermanagh is £216 million and its GVA (gross value added – the residual value created by firms once non-labour costs have been paid) is £109 million.