Ballymena trio recruited to BT apprentice scheme

Johnathan McCloy, Aiden McNicholl and David Ferguson will now embark on an 18-month programme co-ordinated by ETS Belfast training as multi-skilled customer service engineers with the installation and maintenance of next generation super-fast broadband top of their training schedule.

The successful applicants will join a strong highly skilled engineering workforce responsible for growing and maintaining the network infrastructure that delivers essential broadband, data and voice services for Northern Ireland homes, businesses and public services.

In recent years BT has accelerated its investment in fibre infrastructure in both urban and rural areas with over 90 per cent of all premises now connected to a fibre cabinet, placing Northern Ireland ahead of most other major European countries in terms of broadband availability.

In the last three years alone 35 new apprentices were recruited in Northern Ireland into positions right across the business in IT, Engineering, Finance and Customer Service.

The latest intake of apprentices, ranging in age from 18 to 30, will embark on an 18 month programme co-ordinated by Engineering Training Services (ETS) Belfast with time spent at skill centres; Springvale Learning, Belfast and the BT Training centre Antrim.

Alex Crossan, Networks Director, BT, Northern Ireland said: “Again this year there has been unprecedented interest in our apprenticeship scheme with more than 300 applications received in Northern Ireland in this latest round alone. This level of interest, alongside our ambitious fibre broadband roll-out programme, has led to the decision to continue our policy of offering engineering apprenticeships here in Northern Ireland.

“In these difficult economic times the continuation of our apprenticeship programme clearly demonstrates the value we place on our highly skilled workforce and shows a firm commitment by BT to continue to provide a first class service for our industry.”

Following completion of training the apprentices will be based in Enniskillen, Omagh, Portadown, Downpatrick and the greater Belfast areas in provision and maintenance roles.