Openreach has announced it will create at least 255 new North West engineering jobs.
The new roles, which include several in Cumbria, will help the firm continue to improve service levels across its existing networks, whilst building and connecting customers to its new full fibre broadband network quickly.
The announcement comes as the firm hit a record build rate for its full fibre broadband programme – which aims to reach 20 million homes and businesses by the mid-to-late 2020s.
Openreach engineers are delivering faster, more reliable connectivity to another 40,000 homes and businesses every week, or the equivalent of a home every 15 seconds.
Full fibre build is already underway in dozens of locations across the North West, including the urban areas of Manchester, Liverpool, Bury and Ormskirk as well as harder to reach locations including Penrith and Millom.
Openreach regional director for the north, Robert Thorburn, said: “As a major employer and infrastructure builder, we believe Openreach can play a leading role in helping the UK to build back better and greener.
“Our full fibre network build is going faster than ever and we’re now looking for people across the North West to build a career with Openreach and help us upgrade broadband connections and continue improving service levels throughout the region.
“We’re also investing in our supply chain, which will support the creation of thousands of jobs based all over the UK.”
