Career Transition Partnership

COVID-19 Important Information

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to grow and we are all making significant
adjustments to our working and home lives in response to government guidance. Our primary priority
is to ensure we protect the well-being and safety of our staff, and you, our Service leavers. We have
been closely monitoring the situation and working with the MOD and they have now confirmed a policy
to suspend face to face activity until 30th April 2020, in order to follow advice on social distancing. This
policy will be reviewed regularly and will be adjusted in line with advice from the Government.

Please be assured that despite this, CTP staff remain fully operational to work remotely, are
contactable, and very much still here to support you. Please email your usual point of contact if you
require any help with your resettlement.

We have created some to address questions you may have – please click the green button below.

READ FAQs

Points expressed in this guide may be altered with no notice due to conditions associated with the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Telecommunications Sector Guide

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Content

IT – Overview Key Skills

Page 3 Page 12

Organisations that support Military Recruitment Training

Page 4 Page 13
Vacancy Information Additional websites for telecom roles and news
Page 9 Page 14
Type of roles you will typically find in this industry Further Information
Page 10 Page 15
Skills and Qualifications
Page 11

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 Overview
• One in every 20 people (1.5 million) working in the UK is employed in IT & Telecoms. Of these individuals,
913,000 (59%) work in the IT & Telecoms industry itself (i.e. IT & Telecoms professionals and those in
supporting roles such as HR, admin, finance etc.) whilst a further 633,000 (41%) work as IT or Telecoms
professionals in other industries (the IT department of a retail chain or bank for example). There are over
144,000 workplaces in the UK’s IT & Telecoms industry - 87% of which are IT and 13% Telecoms.

• A career in the telecommunications industry will suit those who enjoy working in an environment which has
constant change and a varied workload. Driven by advances in communications technology it is a competitive
and fast-changing industry, which offers a wide range of career options in terms of the skills required and the
roles within it.

• Broadband, mobile and wireless technology has changed the face of both business and home life with major
telecommunications companies such as BT, Vodafone, Virgin Media, EE, Fujitsu and O2-Telefonica integrating
services to provide a range The telecoms industry includes the work of engineers and IT-trained professionals
on a technical side. The constantly developing equipment requires skilled IT technicians to install, test and
maintain the products and their systems. As telecommunications is all about connecting people quickly,
efficiently and reliably communication and customer service is a large part of any job role in the industry. The
UK Government has an ambition for the whole country to have the best superfast broadband network in the EU
by 2020. Should the infrastructure fail, the nation would grind to a halt.

• The industry is not just governed by Engineering positions; you will find a wide variety of job roles. Delivering
outstanding customer service is the key to a successful business therefore there is a high demand for Customer
Service and Retail Operatives, Team Leaders, Supervisors and Managers both in Call Centres and Retail outlets.

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Organisations that support Military Recruitment. Some companies may have

recruitment on hold due to COVID-19

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• BT is the UK’s leading recruiter of armed forces leavers and veterans. We have hundreds of career opportunities, in the UK and around the world – we have offices in over
180 countries.
• Something for everyone

• In the UK we’re a leading communications services provider, selling products and services to
• consumers, small and medium sized enterprises and the public sector.
• We sell wholesale products and services to other communications providers. We also supply managed networked IT services to multinational corporations, domestic
businesses, national and local governments.
• We employ over 80,000 people in the UK and Ireland.
• Helping people locally

• We work with local authorities, regional agencies and others, to develop next generation broadband solutions. These solutions bring benefits across the country to many
communities, businesses and interest groups.
• We also actively support local and regional communities with programmes that help more people to benefit from new technology through our digital inclusion projects.
• Ireland

• In 2006 we integrated all our operations in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland into one business. Our headquarters are in Belfast and Dublin and employ close to
3,000 people.
• Did you know?

• In the UK alone, we manage some 21 million customers and connect a broadband line every 10 seconds so that 12 million transactions can take place every single day.
• 18 of the top 20 high street financial organisations depend on our network to provide services to their customers. We process 80% of all UK credit card transactions – that’s
more than 400,000 per hour.
• We’re the UK’s biggest user of green energy. Almost half of our waste produce is recycled, and in the last ten years, we’ve cut our CO2 emissions by 60%. Since 2001,
Dow Jones has named BT the Sustainability Leader among the world’s telecommunications companies for five years running.
• Innovation is in our DNA. Last year we registered around 300 new patents. That’s the fourth highest number of patents with the European Patent Office of UK-based
companies.

• Check this link for information on BT Security

• Click on this link to the CTP BT Employer focus page for latest jobs and information https://www.ctp.org.uk/job-finding/directory/bt

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• Openreach, part of BT Group, looks after the local access network – the fibres, wires and cables that connect tens of millions
of homes and businesses to phone, broadband, data and TV services. Openreach works on behalf of the nation’s
communications service providers (the companies that supply your phone/broadband) to keep the country connected.

Openreach is currently building a multi-billion pound superfast fibre network which is transforming Britain’s broadband
speeds providing over 24 million premises with access to superfast fibre. In fact, our deployment is one of the fastest
anywhere in the world.

If you want to know more about Openreach, our role and responsibilities, please visit our homepage or take a look at our
superfast fibre website.

• Openreach Careers

We offer successful applicants:

• Exciting career opportunities and prospects
• A competitive salary and benefits
• Genuine career support, guidance and personal development
•
With vacancies in most major towns and cities throughout the UK, we'll probably have the opportunity you want, where you
want. However, some roles are only available in specific locations and due to the nature of the job you must live within a 45
minute radius of that location (or 60 minutes if you live in London).

• Click on this link to find information on Openreach and their latest jobs https://www.ctp.org.uk/job-finding/directory/openreach

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Vodafone are one of the world's leading mobile communications providers, operating in more than 30 countries and in
partnership with networks in over 40 more. Across the world, they have almost 360 million customers and around 19
million in the UK. Vodafone now employ over 8,000 people across the UK. Typical jobs found at Vodafone are Project
Manager, Application Manager, Technical Design and Business Development Manager. Vodafone continue to engage
by attending CTP Employment Fairs. To find out more about careers at Vodafone visit vacancies will appear on this link
when they are live. https://www.ctp.org.uk/job-finding/directory/vodafone/latest-jobs

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• telent Technology Services Ltd (telent), a specialist in the effective operation of the UK’s critical national
infrastructure, operates in a host of industry sectors including rail, traffic, defence and public safety. The partner of
choice for many organisations, including Highways England, Network Rail, Transport for London and BT, it helps
deliver and support solutions and services to enable businesses to utilise all the technological tools available to
them to thrive.
• Whether you are making a call, using the Internet, travelling by road, rail, bus or tube or even dialling 999, telent
supports the technology that enables this to happen. Our employees work at the heart of national infrastructure
holding networks together, keeping traffic flowing and in some cases, helping to save lives

Please login to your right job account and search for Telent to see the latest vacancies

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Fujitsu are one of the largest IT, Telecommunications and Services companies in the world, working with many military
organisations, intelligence communities and Government Departments to provide highly secure Information & Communications
Systems Services. To find out more about careers at Fujitsu visit https://www.ctp.org.uk/job-finding/directory/fujitsu/latest-jobs

Defence Capabilities

Fujitsu’s comprehensive ICT-based solutions include a broad range of secure transformational systems and services enabling
customers, from Defence, National Security, and other Government Agencies to realise objectives, reduce costs and increase
effectiveness by exploiting advances in technology. As a result of their work with the Ministry of Defence, and a wide spread of
cross government agencies, we have an excellent insight into the challenges that surround the ‘joining up’ of information, often
across many agencies, in order to respond effectively to any large scale crisis – whether prompted by military action, natural
disaster or terrorist action. Working with best of breed industry partners, Fujitsu has brought together a comprehensive range of
systems and services that can contribute significantly in helping to meet these challenges; providing rapid access to a common
operating picture and new secure ways to get data, intelligence, orders and information to the places and people that need it most.
Their areas of expertise include Command, Control, Communications and Computing systems (C4I), integrated platforms,
Situational Awareness, Mobility, Information Management and Exploitation and Decision Support systems, together with a range of
low-energy hardware designed for the environment in which it needs to operate.

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Other major telecoms companies

Virgin Media. Virgin Media also continue to advertise a high number of vacancies on RightJob, ranging
from sales/marketing to IT. To find out more about careers with Virgin Media. Login to your right job
account, https://www.ctp.org.uk select by company, scroll down and click on the Virgin Media
opportunities.

EE. EE is the UK’s most advanced digital communications company. They have announced the switch on
of their 200th town in the UK to benefit from 4G. EE now have over 2 million customers using superfast 4G.
That’s the fastest rollout and uptake of any technology in Britain, and means that the UK’s mobile digital
infrastructure is now ahead of many other nations. EE have current employment opportunities such as
Customer Advisers, Retail Assistants, Engineers and Managers, which can be found following this link:.
https://jobs.ee.co.uk/

SKY. Sky launched in 1989 and are currently Britain and Ireland’s leading home
entertainment and communications provider. Sky currently operates SKY TV, Sky broadband
and Sky talk. They currently employ over 24,000 people in various roles. Sky are always
looking for people who can deliver great TV and home communications to our customers and
have created a web page detailing why sky are a good company to work for .
Login to your right job account, https://www.ctp.org.uk select by company, scroll down and
click on the Sky.

Here you will see vacancies in sectors such as technology, sales, corporate, marketing and
customer service.

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 Selected vacancies
Job Title Location Salary Closing Date RightJob ID

Lewes, East
Systems Engineer £40,000 to £45,000 24/05/2020 324836
Sussex

Telecoms Integration
Rugby £39,000 - £47,000
Engineer 25/05/2020 324910

x3 London based
with some national
Cable Operatives
travel required, x3 Competitive 29/05/2020 293666
Midlands based, x2
Wolverhampton
£17,732 - £21,826 plus
Operations &
shift and weekend
Communications Centre, Worcester
working allowance from 30/06/2020 326332
Communications Officer
£6,020

Permanent Trainee Data £20000.00 - £20000.00

Cabling engineer SC or DV per annum + Travel
Clearance across UK covered + 01/07/2020 325412
Accommodation &
Expenses covered
East of England,
South East, £100.00 - £200.00 per 312203
Fibre Engineer 30/06/2020
London, Essex, day 11
Greater London
 Type of roles you will typically find in this industry

• Aerial rigging • Customer Service

• Equipment wirer and assembler • Technical Help desk
• Internal network construction • Retail Assistant
• International networks • Field operations, including:
• Mobile switching engineer • Fibre-optic installation and configuration
• Network planning • Fibre-optic repair and renewal
• Narrowband and wideband planning • 21CN network technician*
• Radio base station engineer • Installation and support technician
• Radio frequency engineer • Customer support
• Radio repair technician
• Satellite communications
• System production supervisor

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Skills and Qualifications

• Each Service has its ‘expert’ telecoms staff in the specialist communications and electronics branches, although there may be other people
serving who have considerable expertise and some who will have relevant degrees.

• Some people will also have specialised in telecoms and/or electronics as part of their career pattern. They are still likely to have a number of
very transferrable and marketable skills, but these may need to be targeted in a particular area.

• Service leavers without the necessary technical background can still enter the industry, but this will probably be at a lower level. Their
personal qualities are valued, as are the core skills they may bring, including map reading, first aid and even the ability to work at heights.
Service Leavers may have experience or working in Telecommunications but not looking to work out in the field.

• Telecommunications knowledge and skills such as team leading, communication, project management, planning and organising can be
transferred into frontline and customer facing roles such as Technical Helpdesk and Project Management.

• Those in the Forces can gain qualifications through their employment and personal development while they are serving. This will primarily be
to do with the theory necessary to use equipment, its actual use, and how to pass on the knowledge to others. The academic background and
the principles of certain equipment use will be highly relevant to future employment, so the aim should be to build up these qualifications,
while those whose career path does not include such courses should look at day release, evening classes, open learning and the internet for
opportunities to learn before they leave.
• It is important that you research by speaking with people working in the industry and discuss their entry requirements before embarking on
qualifications. Many companies have their own specific training programmes, especially for engineers and qualifications may not be part of
their requirements. Capability and skills such and mechanical and problem solving can be seen as more important

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 Key Skills
• Security skills
• Security and data protection will have one of the clearest and most immediate impacts for the skills of
IT & Telecoms professionals.

• Business skills
• Increasingly Telecoms professionals must have core business skills. Creative, technical and
entrepreneurial skills alone are not enough - as professionals need to manage lifecycles of product
development, and solve real business issues.
• Analytical and research skills
• Analytics is a vital component of connection information and technology to business problems.

Also regarded as being of key importance to employers, and possessed by Service leavers, are:
• Problem-solving skills
• Good oral communications
• Good team-working skills
• Time Management
• Flexible approach
• Ability to use own initiative
• Stress management
• Customer Service Skills

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Training
CTP offer a variety of courses which link in with
Telecommunications. Click to view
• Domestic Electrical Installation Full Scope 20 days

• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations 5 days

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 10 days

• APM Project Management 10 days

• PRINCE 2 5 days

• CompTIA A+ 10 days

• CompTIA Network+ and Security+ 15 days

• Managing Safely (IOSH) 4 days

• To book via the CTP on our in house courses . Email: [email protected]: Civ: 01252 954007
Virtual classrooms becoming a Reality!
CTP have been working hard to ensure that Service leavers can access resettlement services in the safest
possible way and we have introduced Virtual Classrooms for some of the above Vocational Training courses.
• There are several CTP Preferred Suppliers who also offer relevant training for this sector. For a full list please follow the link
https://www.ctp.org.uk/preferred-suppliers to the list on the CTP website.
Courses to consider are:
• Post Graduate Certificate in Wireless Communications with ubi- tech (3R) ltd https://www.ubi-tech.co.uk/courses/post-
graduate-certificate-wireless-communications/
• BTEC L4 - Certified Telecommunications Project Management (CTPM®)
• C&G Level 2 - Communications Cabling and Networks
• C&G Level 3 -Certificate in Designing and Planning Communications Networks
• Level 3 Diploma BDUK Construction Engineer
• Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT & Telecoms Professionals
• City & Guilds 3667-02 15
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Virtual classrooms becoming a Reality!

CTP have been working hard to ensure that Service leavers can access resettlement services in the safest possible way and we have introduced
Virtual Classrooms to some of our existing Vocational Training courses.
A course delivered in a Virtual Classroom is where learners log into an online platform, from their home or safe location and they can see and interact
with a live trainer who is delivering the course in the same way as it would be in the classroom.
End of course examinations are taken online and learners will be required to have a webcam, microphone and speaker/headset in order to interact
fully.

Those who have already booked places on our face to face courses between now and 30 April have been offered the opportunity to switch onto our
Virtual Classroom courses, and we will be opening up bookings for our May courses shortly. For further information on courses and start dates please
visit our website https://www.ctp.org.uk/resettlement-training/find-a-course?department=general-management

To book your place please contact CBIC on 01252 954007

Please read through our Frequently Asked Questions which answers many of your queries regarding training during the current COVID -19 situation

New Vocational Training course dates to September 2021 are available on our website!
CTP are pleased to advise that our vocational training course dates are now available for booking for courses commencing up to September 2021!
We have added additional availability to our most high demand courses, and continue to offer a range of highly subsidised contract funded training,
providing excellent value for money.
Course dates, locations and prices can be found on our website, along with detailed descriptions and downloadable factsheets.
To make a booking for any of our courses, please call our Course Bookings & Information Centre CBIC on 01252 954007.

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 Additional websites for telecom roles and news

• http://www.theguardian.com/business/telecoms
• http://www.ft.com/companies/telecoms
• http://www.telecommunicationjobs.co.uk/
• http://www.jobsite.co.uk/jobs/telecommunications
• http://www.telecomsjobsource.co.uk/
• http://www.jobisjob.co.uk/telecommunications/jobs
• http://www.telecomsjobsource.co.uk/jobs/telecommunications
• http://jobs.dailymail.co.uk/jobs/telecommunications
• http://www.telecomjobsboard.co.uk/
• http://www.justengineers.net/
• http://www.icobus.com/
• http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/browse-it-jobs

• News
• http://telecoms.com/
• http://www.totaltele.com/
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 Further information

• Communications Management Association, 1st Floor, Block D, North Star House,

North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1FA Tel: 01793 417605
• Website: www.thecma.com
• Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (The Society for Broadband
Professionals), Communications House, 41a Market Street, Watford, Hertfordshire
WD18 0PN Tel: 01923 815500
• Website: www.scte.org.uk

Updated May 2020 18