Openreach steps up hunt for more Swindon trainee engineers

Local applications are rolling in but there is still room for further recruits

Openreach today announced it was stepping up its search for trainee engineers in Swindon and the surrounding area.

The business responsible for Britain’s largest phone and broadband network is seeking further local applicants as parts of its largest ever recruitment drive in the UK.

The new recruits are set to play a vital role in Openreach’s plans to build more ultrafast Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband across the country.

Twelve new fibre engineering schools are being established in the UK, including one in Cheney Manor Road, Swindon, with hundreds of thousands of pounds being invested equipping the centres with the latest fibre engineering training facilities.

Emma Howarth, programme director for Openreach in the South West, said: “The trainee engineer roles are proving popular and the vacancies are being filled rapidly. We have already received applications from more than 200 people in Swindon and the surrounding area, but we still have places available and would encourage even more local people to come forward.

“Being an Openreach engineer is an exciting and rewarding job with great career prospects. Successful applicants will receive the very best training and support. They don’t need to have had any previous engineering experience. We are committed to building a diverse workforce with people from all walks of life and different backgrounds.”

Among the recent recruits in the Swindon area is Mike MacPhee, who joined Openreach in 2015. He said: “The job has proved to be everything I hoped for – and more. The work is varied, the training very comprehensive and I enjoy getting out and about meeting customers. Whether you are installing a new service or fixing a fault, you feel that you are really making a difference and playing a key part in delivering an essential service for local people.”

For more information go to Openreach trainee engineer scheme