Hundreds of new engineers are being recruited by the BT Group with many roles set to be in Preston.

Openreach is hiring 1,500 trainees nationwide and 150 of these will be from the North West.

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The full-time permanent jobs are to extend BT’s fibe broadband network.

Anyone interested in the roles will be able to experience what life is like as an engineer by putting on a virtual reality headset.

When they do they’ll be able to experience climbing a telephone pole or exploring the local exchange building.R

Read more: Electricity North West is recruiting apprentices in Preston

Openreach chief executive Clive Selley told Business Lancashire: “Improving customer service is our number one priority so we’re investing in our people to make sure we deliver.

“Our customers need us to install new lines and repair our network faster than ever, and by increasing the number of people working on proactive network maintenance, we can fix more issues before people even notice them.

“We are also continuing to roll out superfast broadband services at scale and making big investments in our network to make ultrafast broadband available to up to 12 million homes by the end of 2020. We want to recruit the very best people to help us on that journey and our new trainee engineering roles will offer people the hands on experience they need to succeed.”

The firm has released its 360 videos of life as an engineer on its YouTube channel and they can be viewed on any PC, tablet or VR headset.

Openreach’s regional infrastructure delivery director in the North West Jim Jackson said: “We know from past experience that the North West is an excellent place to recruit skilled and motivated people, who make great engineers. Openreach is able to offer them a rewarding career in an exciting and fast moving industry.

“The trainee engineers will be playing a vital part in the future success and prosperity of our region. High-speed communications have never been more important for local households and businesses – and will become even more important in the years ahead.”

Read more: BAE Systems recruiting apprentices for Samlesbury and Warton

What are the details?

Starting salary is £20,000. After the first year this increases to £22,933 as well as having the chance of a 10 per cent on-target bonus.

There’s 22 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.

You get free broadband, free BT Tv and BT Sport.

Access to the BT pension scheme and discounts across a whole range of BT and other products.

How can I apply?

Visit the BT website and complete an online application form. They then do an online situational strengths test, before then inviting you to complete a video interview.

If successful you go through to an assessment centre and then there’s a decision.

Don’t want to be an engineer? There’s plenty of jobs around Preston to browse with OurBob – a new jobs website for the city.

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