BT has announced that it will create more than 1,000 new positions for apprenticeships and graduates.

The new positions will be focused in areas of IT, research and engineering, with the telecoms giant looking for 300 graduates from science, technology and business disciplines, and 730 apprentices to work in similar areas as well as logistics, design and engineering.

BT has also created a digital media technology apprenticeship, designed to teach young people skills in web design and development, digital distribution and services.

Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “I would encourage all employers to follow the lead of firms like BT and recognise the value and dynamism apprentices can offer businesses of all sizes”.

Gavin Patterson, chief executive of BT, said: “with almost a million young people across the UK struggling to find work. Every company needs to play its part in ensuring that Britain’s future workforce isn’t impaired by long-term unemployment.”

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