NEARLY 600 trainee engineers will be hired across London as part of the largest recruitment drive ever undertaken by Openreach.

It follows news that Openreach will accelerate plans to build more ultra-fast Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband across the country.

Ealing, Westminster, Islington, Lambeth, Hammersmith and Fulham are some of the boroughs set to benefit.

Trainees will join the engineers working to expand, upgrade, maintain and instal new services over Openreach’s national broadband network.

David Jordan, its director of next generation access for the South of England, said: “We’re looking forward to men and women from all walks of life applying for these roles.

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“We’re committed to helping people realise their potential so we’re also offering work experience placements to 18-24 year olds who are currently not in education, employment or training.”

Further details at www.movementtowork.com

Arrondeep Chahal of Ealing, 19, joined Openreach as a trainee engineer in October.

His typical day sees him up telegraph poles, working on broadband cabinets and visiting customers to provide phone and broadband services and carrying out repairs.

He said: “I previously worked in the ICT sector for two years. One day, an Openreach engineer arrived to fix my home broadband.

“I liked what he did and, after he’d gone, I immediately went online to apply for an engineering job with Openreach. I love the job and the change of career is one of the best things I’ve done.”