Minister sees how Quickline is creating careers through broadband rollout
VISIT: Telecoms Minister Ian Murray, right, meeting Quickline volunteers
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Broadband provider Quickline has showcased its role in creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships as part of the Government’s multi-billion-pound drive to improve connectivity in rural communities.
Telecoms Minister Ian Murray visited Quickline’s Training and Innovation Centre in Hull to meet apprentices and see first-hand how the company is developing the skills needed to deliver faster and more reliable broadband across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
The visit came as new figures revealed more than 3,000 jobs and apprenticeships have been created in England through the Government’s national broadband upgrade.
Quickline is playing a key role in Project Gigabit, the Government programme aimed at bringing improved broadband to homes and businesses in areas which would otherwise be left behind by commercial rollouts.
As well as delivering better connectivity, suppliers awarded contracts through the programme are expected to provide wider benefits for local communities, including creating jobs and apprenticeships, investing in local projects and supporting environmental initiatives.
Roles created through the programme range from fibre engineers, technicians and network planners to project managers and customer support teams, with trainees learning practical skills including installing cables, climbing poles and using specialist equipment safely.
The impact of that investment was highlighted during Mr Murray’s visit to Quickline, where he met trainees learning the hands-on skills required to build and maintain broadband networks.
He said: “Behind every new broadband connection are engineers, apprentices and local teams learning the skills to give communities the fast, reliable connections they need for modern life.
“This is a government which is opening up rewarding careers while delivering the next-generation broadband that homes and businesses need.
TOUR: Mr Murray learned more about the hands-on skills being developed at Quickline
“Through Project Gigabit we are doing two jobs at once: creating skilled opportunities and upgrading communities with the connectivity they need to grow – helping make sure growth and opportunity reaches every postcode.”
Mark Bowden, CEO of Quickline, said: “We were delighted to welcome the minister to Quickline and give him the opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact Project Gigabit is having, not only by bringing better broadband to rural communities, but by creating skilled jobs, apprenticeships and long-term career opportunities.
“At Quickline, we’re proud to be playing a major part in that. We’re investing in people as well as infrastructure, developing the skills and talent we need for the future while delivering fast, reliable broadband to homes and businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire that have too often been left behind.
“Project Gigabit is showing what can be achieved when investment in connectivity also delivers wider economic and social benefits for the communities it serves, and that’s something we’re very proud to be part of.”
Ryan Lupton, a splicer calber apprentice, was one of those who met the minister on his visit.
Ryan said: “My previous occupation was a customer assistant for Tesco, which mainly involved working on self-service. I’m excited to be working for Quickline and look forward to hopefully having a career with them.
“I’m enjoying the physical nature of the job. I am one who doesn’t like to be sat around all day and working with the lads always makes the job fun.”
Project Gigabit targets homes and businesses which are not included in broadband companies’ commercial plans, with a particular focus on rural areas which might otherwise miss out on improved connectivity.
Government-supported gigabit programmes have already helped upgrade more than 1.46 million premises across the UK, largely in rural areas where gigabit coverage is lower.