Secretary of State for Wales dials up conversation with Openreach apprentices
Sir Robert Buckland QC MP visits National Learning Centre for Wales in Newport (Gweler fersiwn Cymraeg isod / Welsh language version available below)
The new Secretary of State for Wales, Sir Robert Buckland QC MP, recently called in at Openreach’s state-of-the-art National Learning Centre for Wales to see how the UK’s largest digital infrastructure builder is training its new recruits to bring ultrafast Full Fibre broadband to Wales.
Based in Newport, the multi-million pound learning centre gives both trainee and existing Openreach engineers the opportunity to learn the ropes and test new skills in a replica street, built from scratch to recreate the real network in the outside world.
Openreach has recruited heavily in recent years as it ramps up its ultrafast Full Fibre build across Wales and the rest of the UK. Its learning centre in Newport plays an integral role in enabling the business to reach its target of 25 million UK homes and businesses by December 2026.
Across Wales there are around 160 Openreach apprentices – of all ages - currently going through their training, with the average age of the trainees being 31. During his tour of the centre, the Secretary of State for Wales met with a number of apprentices who have opted to become engineers later in their careers, including Mariaisabel Ferrandez from Cardiff.
Mariaisabel recently graduated from her apprenticeship training, having joined Openreach after a number of years working as an Emergency Ambulance Technician for the Welsh Ambulance Service. Wanting a career change that would allow her to work outdoors but also provide a good opportunity to learn and progress, Mariaisabel decided to take the plunge with Openreach.
Mariaisabel explains: “I’d been considering a career change for a while but couldn’t quite put my finger on what I wanted to do. I heard through friends that Openreach was a good employer and were looking to recruit more female engineers so I did some research to see the type of work that they did.”
The more I looked into it the more I thought that being an Openreach engineer was the right thing for me.”
“The training that’s available in Newport is second-to-none and it’s reassuring to see the emphasis that’s placed on health and safety throughout the programme. I’d thoroughly recommend other people who are considering a career change to consider Openreach”
Secretary of State for Wales, Sir Robert Buckland, said: “We all know how important fast reliable broadband connections are.”
“It’s been great to see the investment Openreach is putting into its Full Fibre infrastructure and the training and development of both recruits and existing engineers.
“It’s also been fantastic to meet new recruits like Mariaisabel and hear about the huge contribution they are making to our economy as they build the ultrafast network that we all need.”
Kim Mears, Openreach’s Managing Director and Chair of the Openreach Wales Board, said: “Our National Learning Centre for Wales is testimony to our commitment to not only continued learning and development but also to Wales.”
“The vast majority of new recruits come here to Newport to get their training before going out into the real world and helping us to build our Full Fibre infrastructure at speed across Wales.”
About Openreach in Wales
Openreach is on track to reach 25 million UK homes and businesses with access to Full Fibre ultrafast broadband by December 2026 and has already reached around 450,000 properties across Wales.
With a workforce of around 2,300 in Wales, Openreach already employs the nation’s largest team of telecoms engineers and professionals.
Across Wales more than 100,000 homes and businesses have already ordered a full fibre service from a range of retail service providers using the Openreach network. But this means that thousands more could be benefiting from some of the fastest, most reliable broadband connections in Europe and have yet to upgrade.
Recent research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) highlighted the clear economic benefits of connecting everyone in Wales to full fibre. It estimated this would create a £2 billion boost to the Welsh economy.
This short video explains what Full Fibre technology is and you can find out more about our Fibre First programme, latest availability and local plans here.
Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru yn galw prentisiaid Openreach
Yn ddiweddar galwodd Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, Sir Robert Buckland QC AS, heibio Canolfan Dysgu Cenedlaethol Cymru Openreach i weld sut mae adeiladwr rhwydwaith mwyaf y Deyrnas Unedig yn dysgu recriwtiaid newydd i ddarparu band eang ffeibr cyflawn ar draws y wlad.
Mae’r Ganolfan newydd gwerth sawl £miliwn yng Nghasnewydd yn rhoi cyfle i ddarparwr beiranwyr a rhai profiadol i brofi sgiliau newydd mewn stryd sy’n adlewyrchu’r byd go iawn, wrth ailgreu’r rhwydwaith yn y byd mawr.
Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae Openreach wedi recriwtio llawer o bobl er mwyn lledu band eang ffeibr cyflawn drwy Gymru a gweddill y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae’r ganolfan ddysgu yn chwarae rôl integrol wrth alluogi’r busnes i gyrraedd y targed o wasanaethu 25 miliwn cartref a busnes yn y DU erbyn mis Rhagfyr 2026.
Yng Nghymru, ar hyn o bryd mae oddeutu 160 prentis Openreach - o bob oedran - yn derbyn hyfforddiant, gydag oedran cyfartalog o 31. Wrth ymweld â’r ganolfan, cyfarfu Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru â nifer o brentisiaid sydd wedi penderfynu dod yn beirianwyr yn hwyrach yn eu gyrfaoedd, yn cynnwys Mariaisabel Ferrandez o Gaerdydd.
Yn ddiweddar, graddiodd Mariaisabel o’i phrentisiaeth gydag Openreach ar ôl treulio nifer o flynyddoedd fel technegydd ambiwlans brys gyda Gwasanaeth Ambiwlans Cymru. Roedd am newid ei gyrfa er mwyn gweithio yn yr awyr agored a chael cyfle i ddysgu a datblygu ei gyrfa, felly penderfynodd Mariaisabel roi cynnig ar Openreach.
Esboniodd Mariaisabel: “Roeddwn wedi ystyried newid gyrfa am gyfnod ond heb bennu beth yn union roeddwn am wneud. Roedd ffrindiau wedi dweud bod Openreach yn gyflogwr da ac yn edrych i recriwtio mwy o fenywod fel peirianwyr, felly edrychais i weld y math o waith roedd yn cynnig.”
Wrth wneud hynny, sylweddolais mai bod yn beiriannydd Openreach oedd y peth iawn i mi.”
“Mae hyfforddiant canolfan Casnewydd yn ardderchog ac yn dda gweld y pwyslais ar iechyd a diogelwch drwy’r rhaglen. Byddwn wir yn argymell pobl eraill sy’n ystyried newid gyrfa i roi cynnig ar Openreach”
Dywedodd Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, Syr Robert Buckland: “Erbyn hyn mae pawb yn deall pa mor bwysig yw cysylltiadau band eang cyflym a dibynadwy.”
“Roedd yn wych gweld ffrwyth buddsoddiad Openreach yn ei rwydwaith ffeibr cyflawn, ynghyd â hyfforddi a datblygu recriwtiaid newydd a pheirianwyr profiadol.
Yn ogystal, roedd yn dda cyfarfod recriwtiaid newydd fel Mariaisabel a chlywed am eu cyfraniad gwerthfawr at yr economi wrth adeiladu rhwydwaith tra-chyflym i wasanaethu’r wlad gyfan.”
Dywedodd Kim Mears, rheolwr gyfarwyddwraig Openreach a chadeirydd Bwrdd Openreach Cymru: “Mae Canolfan Ddysgu Cenedlaethol Cymru yn adlewyrchu ymroddiad y cwmni nid yn unig wrth barhau i ddysgu a datblygu, ond hefyd i gefnogi Cymru gyfan.”
“Bydd y rhan helaeth o’r recriwtiaid yn dod yma i Gasnewydd i dderbyn hyfforddiant cyn mynd allan i’r byd go iawn a’n helpu i adeiladu ein rhwydwaith ffeibr cyflawn yn gyflym ar draws y wlad.”
Am Openreach yng Nghymru
Mae Openreach yn dilyn ei raglen i ddarparu band eang ffeibr cyflawn mewn 25 miliwn cartref a busnes yn y Deyrnas Unedig erbyn Rhagfyr 2026 ac eisoes wedi cyrraedd oddeutu 450,000 cartref a busnes yng Nghymru.
Wrth gyflogi 2,300 yng Nghymru, mae Openreach eisoes yn cynnal y tîm mwyaf o beirianwyr a gweithwyr cysylltiedig yn y wlad.
Yng Nghymru mae dros 100,000 cartref a busnes eisoes wedi archebu gwasanaeth ffeibr cyflawn gan amryw gwmnïau gwasanaeth sy’n defnyddio rhwydwaith Openreach. Ond mae hynny hefyd yn golygu gallai miloedd o bobl eraill elwa o’r cysylltiadau band eang mwyaf cyflym a dibynadwy yn y byd, ond heb wneud hynny eto.
Roedd ymchwil diweddar gan Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) wedi tanlinellu’r buddion economaidd o gysylltu pawb yng Nghymru â’r rhwydwaith ffeibr cyflawn. Amcangyfrifir byddai’n creu hwb gwerth £2 biliwn i economi’r wlad.
Fideo byr yn esbonio technoleg ffeibr cyflawn a gallwch ddysgu mwy am ein rhaglen Ffeibr Gyntaf, ein darpariaethau diweddaraf a’n cynlluniau lleol yma.
