BT Group today (27th January) announced plans to recruit more than 400 apprentices and graduates for its September 2021 intake.

BT will recruit talent into the company across areas as diverse as engineering, customer service, applied research and cyber security to support the UK's fast-growing digital sectors. The new recruits will also support the company's plans to build and extend the latest 5G networks around the UK.

BT has recruited more than 1,600 apprentices and graduates over the past 24 months.

The new roles are spread across a number of locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, Edinburgh, Ipswich, London and Manchester.

Today's figures are in addition to Openreach's recent plans to create more than 2,500 full-time jobs in its service and network build divisions, as well as an estimated 2,800 positions in its UK supply chain. Together, BT and Openreach are currently delivering a wide range of apprenticeships, with over 4,000 colleagues working towards their qualifications.

Gavin Williamson, education secretary, said: "It is brilliant that BT are continuing to champion apprenticeships and offering more than 400 people the opportunity to start a great career in the digital industry.

"Apprenticeships form a key part of our new Skills for Jobs White Paper which will transform post-16 education and training, helping to deliver the skills individuals, businesses and the economy need to thrive after coronavirus.

"I hope more employers will follow BT's lead, so more people can get on the path to a great job."

Alison Wilcox, group HR director of 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. Despite the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we've continued to recruit and attract brilliant people from all walks of life into our business, and we value the diverse perspectives they bring. We look forward to welcoming the 2021 newcomers."

BT Group, including Openreach, is one of the UK's largest private sector apprenticeships employers and in October 2020 ranked fourth in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK.

For more information on how to apply for a BT apprenticeship or graduate placement, visit: https://www.bt.com/careers/early-careers