TELECOMS giant BT is ahead of schedule with plans to create 750 jobs in South Tyneside after a decade after winning more outsourcing work.
The company promised South Tyneside Council it would bring the jobs to the borough by 2018, but has already brought work for 600 people.
As part of the agreement, BT now carries out all of the council’s back office work such as ICT, human resources, customer services and payroll, and it is also recruiting locally for its own call centres handling sales for the likes of BT Vision and broadband services. It is now in the midst of taking on 280 people in its technical support office to answer broadband queries.
Chris Sayers, regional director of BT North East regional office, said: “We are bringing jobs into South Tyneside, partly around jobs around our partnership with the council and partly work we are doing for the whole of BT as a contact centre. We anticipate by the end of the financial year, we will be over 700 [jobs].
“What we agreed with the council was a process of regeneration to bring jobs to the borough; we agreed to an average of 750 jobs over 10 years.
“We are about three years ahead of schedule which is several hundred jobs ahead of where we thought we would be.
“To have achieved this position, which will be close to 700 jobs is quite phenomenal. The council is delighted.”
Staff started moving into BT’s flagship £10.5m purpose-built One Harton Quay riverside business centre in South Shields in November and the building will be officially opened in the new year.
Sayers said that previous economic impact studies carried out around BT buildings showed that for every 500 people employed by BT, around 500 to 1,000 other jobs were safeguarded locally.
“It’s great news, especially considering the economy at the moment. It’s very, very good for the borough,” he added.
Figures from the council have revealed that 85% of those who have accepted posts in the new building live within South Tyneside.
Coun Ed Malcolm, lead member resources, said: “The recruitment process for the new posts at One Harton Quay is in full swing and it is really heartening to see that the vast majority of these jobs have been secured by people living in South Tyneside.
“Every one of these residents now has money in their pockets to spend in local shops, restaurants, cafes and leisure facilities which has to be good news for the borough’s economy.”
Among the new recruits is Gemma Howe, who began work as an outbound sales advisor in October.
She took part in a three-week training course to build her confidence and practical skills, such as telephone manner, sales and interview techniques. She was also awarded a City and Guilds qualification in customer service.
“I greatly enjoy my new role. I love working as part of a team and the floor walkers and managers are all very helpful. The building is a lovely place to work with a great atmosphere,” said Gemma.
