BT has hired over 900 apprentices and grads over the past 12 months and will hire a further 700+ for its September 2020 intake.

BT has committed to creating many more digital roles in 2020 and is offering a range of apprenticeships which will develop into the cyber security experts, software developers, data analysts and network engineers of the future. BT Group, including Openreach, is one of the UK’s largest private sector apprenticeships employers.

The Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, said: “This is a brilliant achievement and I applaud the BT Group for their continued support and investment in apprenticeships. The digital economy is booming, and we need to make sure we can continue to build the skilled workforce to support it.”

“Apprenticeships are a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn the skills they need to go on to have successful careers. I look forward to hearing how the new recruits are getting on.”

BT has been creating apprenticeships and employment opportunities for young people for decades. More recently, the Group has embraced the apprenticeship levy to significantly increase the range of programmes on offer – creating thousands of meaningful careers since 2017. During that period BT has also significantly increased the number of digital apprenticeships it offers, reinforcing its commitment to developing the skills needed for the digital economy.

Alison Wilcox, Group HR Director, BT Group said: “BT is at the heart of the UK’s digital economy and as a leading employer of apprentices and graduates we offer unparalleled development opportunities. Our business attracts people from all walks of life, and we value the diverse perspectives they bring. We look forward to welcoming the 2020 newcomers.”

Alongside its apprenticeship and grad scheme opportunities, BT is also investing in several initiatives to empower the next generation. These include BT’s Work Ready programme which gives young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training, on-the-job experience, and tech literacy; and Barefoot which aims to give 5 million children the skills to thrive in the digital world by 2025, through a mixture of workshops and school teacher training.