Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
It is a great pleasure to open this
edition of Assembly Briefing with
the fantastic news of BT Sport’s
support for Welsh Rugby.
This ambitious partnership will look at
how we can work together at a grass
roots level to make a difference to young
people and communities across Wales; all
this is enhanced, of course, by the fibre
broadband roll out which is gathering pace.
That in turn is creating jobs and growth,
which is a further cause of celebration
as homes and businesses unlock the
transformative benefits which high speed
broadband has to offer, as our recent
announcement
of up to
190 new
engineering
jobs for Wales
illustrates.
Whether
through the
tireless work of
our engineers,
the appetite
for learning shown by our apprentices,
or the efforts of our staff who always go
that extra mile for a good cause, it is this
winning recipe that is helping BT to make a
difference for Wales.
Superfast broadband
continues to
transform
communities
across Wales
Businesses taste
success at fibre
breakfast event
Touch, Pause, Engage!
Just nine months after its launch,
BT Sport has announced a multimillion pound sponsorship deal
with the four Welsh Rugby Regions.
The deal, which is the largest ever in the
history of the Welsh Rugby Regions, will
see the BT Sport logo appear on the front
of the Scarlets, Newport Gwent Dragons
and Ospreys home jerseys over the next
three seasons. The good news doesn’t
stop there however, with BT Sport also
sponsoring the Cardiff Blues Women’s
Rugby team, and in an unprecedented
agreement, securing naming rights for
Cardiff Blues’ iconic home ground, to
be known as the “BT Sport Cardiff Arms
Park.” In addition, a core segment of BT’s
sponsorship will go towards fostering
greater community engagement with
rugby at a local level, encouraging
more people to stay fit and active by
participating in the game.
Ann Beynon, BT Director Wales told
Assembly Briefing “Rugby in Wales has a
proud and distinctive heritage that has
brought communities closer together
through a shared passion in the sport.
It’s a big part of our culture as a nation.
There’s great synergy in the values
Fast acting apprentice
saves the day
BT takes on fresh
new talent
Taulupe Faletau sporting the Newport Gwent
Dragon’s new kit
of our businesses and we share in the
commitment to support the development
of young people.”
Commenting on the sponsorship deal,
Mark Davies, Acting Chief Executive
of Regional Rugby Wales agreed “This
is a clear vote of confidence in the
Welsh Regions and we are delighted
to be working alongside BT Sport. It’s
time to celebrate the strides that the
Welsh Regions are making to take the
game forward in Wales with real unity,
a common purpose, shared philosophy
and commitment to ensuring that our
businesses are sustainable.”
From Afghanistan
to Abergynolwyn
BT Sport helps
youngsters punch
above their weight
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
Superfast broadband continues to
transform communities across Wales
A little over twelve months
since the first cabinets were
installed as part of the ambitious
Superfast Cymru project,
more and more communities
across Wales are realising the
transformative effects which
fibre broadband brings.
The rollout of the scheme, which will bring
high speed fibre broadband to 96% of
homes and businesses in Wales by 2016,
hit the 100,000 milestone in December.
These new figures are in addition to the
600,000 premises already able to benefit
from the service through BT’s commercial
footprint. The landmark engineering
project, which has already seen 500
kilometres of fibre cable laid, (enough to
stretch from Haverfordwest to Folkestone)
will make Wales one of the best connected
countries in the World, ahead of Japan and
the United States of America.
Small wonder then, that businesses
and representatives have been keen to
celebrate when local communities are
switched on to the network, which will
connect all four corners of Wales to the
rest of the world at a minimum of 24Mbps.
Cowbridge was amongst the most recent
of towns and villages to be linked-in to the
high speed information super-highway,
following Dinas Powys, where the first
cabinet in the Vale of Glamorgan went live
in March. Local Assembly Member and
Welsh Government Finance Minister Jane
Hutt AM joined Deputy Minister for Skills
and Technology Ken Skates AM, Kerry
Charles, Project Development Manager
with the Welsh European Funding Office,
Julian Hitchcock Manager of The Bear
Hotel and BT Director Wales Ann Beynon
to hear first-hand the game-changing
difference which the new technology will
bring to businesses in the area.
The high speed service will boost the
competitiveness of local firms and
offer new ways of flexible working,
entertainment and learning opportunities
for local residents. Fibre broadband
gives users the ability to run multiple
bandwidth-hungry applications at the
same time such as sending and receiving
large amounts of data much more
quickly and efficiently. For families too,
fibre broadband enables a household to
simultaneously download a movie, watch
Minister for Finance, Julian Hitchcock Manager of The Bear Hotel, Deputy Minister Ken Skates and BT Director Wales Ann Beynon outside a fibre
broadband enabled cabinet in Cowbridge.
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
Alun Cairns MP outside a fibre broadband enabled cabinet in Dinas Powys
a TV replay service, surf the internet and
play games online all at the same time. A
whole album can be downloaded in less
than 30 seconds and a feature length
HD movie in less than 10 minutes, whilst
high-resolution photos can be uploaded
to Facebook in seconds.
Local MP Alun Cairns also noted the
transformative impact of this connectivity,
when the project’s first cabinet in the
Vale of Glamorgan went live in Dinas
Powys, adding “Fibre broadband has an
essential role to play in the stimulation
of economic recovery and in building a
more prosperous future for us all. It’s a
major step forward that hundreds of local
people can now get connected to this
exciting technology.” These economic
benefits were also echoed by Ann Beynon,
speaking in Cowbridge in April, who
noted the benefits for SMEs in particular,
adding that this is been a central aim of
the Wales European funding programme,
from which the Superfast Cymru project is
part-funded.
Not confined to Cowbridge, the new
technology now revolutionising
communications in the Vale of Glamorgan
is bringing about positive change across
Wales, with homes and businesses in
Gwynedd and Anglesey also witnessing
the benefits of super-fast fibre. Assembly
Member for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth
welcomed news that Gwalchmai had
joined Amlwch, Corwen, Barmouth,
and Nefyn amongst other communities,
in becoming connected to this new
high-speed network. He added that the
connectivity “will give local businesses
a competitive edge as well as opening
new doors… for people of every age
and background.” Indeed, the first
fibre cabinets have also gone live in
Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest, with
more citizens and businesses in these
areas of Wales able to benefit from fibre
broadband shortly as the rollout continues
to go from strength to strength.
Combined investment in fibre broadband
infrastructure in Wales, including
Superfast Cymru and BT’s commercial
roll-out, totals £425m, including £90m
in European Development Funds, £58m
from Welsh Government, £57m from the
UK Government, and £220m from BT. The
new fibre infrastructure is offered to all
service providers on an open, wholesale
basis, underpinning a competitive
broadband market in Wales, and offering
individuals, families and businesses the
greatest choice in maximising the benefits
of a 21st century, digital Wales.
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
Businesses taste success at fibre
breakfast event
Companies in Bridgend had the
ideal opportunity to learn more
about the benefits of Superfast
broadband recently as one of BT’s
‘Fibre for Breakfast’ initiatives got
underway this March.
The event aimed to highlight to local
businesses the benefits of fast fibre
broadband and how they can harness the
technology in their day to day work.
Superfast Cymru, the largest partnership
of its kind in the UK, is working with
the Welsh Government to bring fibre
broadband to 96 per cent of premises
in Wales by the end of spring 2016. The
partnership, with additional funding from
Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and the
European Regional Development Fund,
is taking fibre broadband to parts of the
country not covered by commercial plans.
The business breakfasts are designed to
reach out to local businesses, providing
information about the best ways to
take advantage of the transformative
potential of Superfast Cymru. Working
collaboratively in this way opens up
unparalleled opportunities for Welsh
business to stay ahead of the curve, and
access global markets.
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister
for Skills and Technology Ken Skates
emphasised the importance of the
Superfast Cymru programme to Wales’
businesses, explaining “These days we
operate in a global environment where
technology transcends geographical
boundaries. We want to ensure that
Wales is ahead of the game and our
businesses are given every chance to
develop and succeed, especially in an
increasingly challenging financial climate.
David Russ, former director of South Wales Chamber of Commerce addresses the Bridgend Fibre
Breakfast event.
Superfast Cymru has the potential to
transform the broadband landscape
in Wales and help us in our aim of
promoting economic growth and
providing sustainable jobs. Making Wales
one of the most broadband capable
countries in the world will also make us
attractive to new investment. I would
encourage all business based in South
Wales to attend these events to learn
more about how they can maximise the
benefits from Superfast Cymru”.
BT Superfast Cymru Programme
Director Ed Hunt reinforced the
potential Superfast Cymru can have
on the operational efficiency of Welsh
businesses. He told Assembly Briefing
that “Superfast Cymru is a hugely
ambitious programme that will place
Wales at the forefront of broadband
technology. The economic impact of such
a programme cannot be underestimated
as it will provide an environment allowing
new businesses to establish and flourish.
On a practical level it is helping protect
300 existing BT jobs and recent Cornish
research has highlighted that six out of
10 small businesses are either growing
or have increased revenues thanks to
superfast broadband. Businesses need
to start thinking as to how they could
benefit from this technology and these
information events will allow them to
start talking and planning for the future.”
Needless to say, the exciting prospects
this technology will bring to Welsh
businesses make the future for commerce
in Wales look brighter and more
promising than ever before.
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
Fast acting apprentice saves the day
In a medical emergency, a rapid
response really can make the
difference between life and death.
So when James Parry, a second year
apprentice with Openreach found himself
arriving first on the scene to help an
elderly man who collapsed outside an
ASDA store in Cardiff this March, he didn’t
hesitate to put his first aid training to good
use. James was leaving the supermarket
at lunchtime when he saw the gentleman
suddenly fall to the floor and it became
apparent he was suffering an epileptic
fit. Springing into action, James told
Assembly Briefing “Without thinking, I ran
over to provide assistance and checked
for airway breathing. I began scanning for
cuts up and down the body when I noticed
a lot of blood gushing from the back of
his head. The man was unresponsive and
still in an epileptic fit which made things
a bit more difficult. I ran to my van to
get my first aid kit which allowed me to
stop the bleeding.” Despite several other
shoppers being present at the scene, only
James, who recently took part in a first aid
training course while on his apprenticeship
with BT, was able to help the gentleman
in need.
First aid training prepares the responder
to act quickly and safely, making those
crucial first moments in an emergency
count. Working in partnership with the
Communication Workers Union (CWU),
BT are offering first aid training courses
to their staff in Wales as part of an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning in
the workplace. Supported by the Wales
Union Learning Fund, the CWU are able
to deliver essential first aid training onsite, so that when an emergency arises,
employees have the confidence and skills
to provide potentially life-saving care.
Speaking about the incident, James said
“It just goes to show the importance of
learning first aid and knowing what to do
and, just as importantly, what not to do
in the event of an emergency.” He added
“Without this, I feel I would have not been
confident enough to have been so heavily
involved.” The man sustained head, back
and shoulder injuries, but with James’
help, was transferred safely to hospital.
Catherine Coombes, Senior Operations
Manager of Network Planning in
Openreach said “We are extremely proud
of James’ prompt actions, but more so
that he had been given the skills as one of
our Openreach apprentices to be able to
assist this gentleman.” As this account has
shown, whether in the workplace or on a
short trip to the shops, you never know
when first aid could help to save a life.
Openreach apprentice James Parry
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
BT takes on fresh new talent
In such a dynamic and fast-paced
industry, BT continuously strives
to attract the best and brightest
young candidates into challenging
and rewarding new roles.
This February BT announced plans to
create around 50 new graduate and
apprenticeship posts in Wales for eager
and enthusiastic young individuals
keen to get on the career ladder. This
recruitment drive is on top of our
ambitious commitment to create 100 new
apprentices and 50 full time jobs as part
of the Superfast Cymru programme. As
well as traditional engineering positions,
we have also introduced a new digital
media technology apprenticeship that will
provide new recruits with experience in
web development, digital networks, digital
TV and digital media distribution. With job
markets becoming ever more competitive,
we have placed a particular emphasis on
graduate and apprentice employment
to maximise the opportunities for young
people to get ahead in the engineering and
telecoms industry.
In celebration of this, BT’s Chief
Executive Gavin Patterson said “This is a
tough time in the job market, 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.” This
was endorsed by The secretary of state
for Wales, Vince Cable MP added “It’s
good news that BT are delivering even
more high quality apprenticeships and
graduate jobs…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.”
Here in Wales, these sentiments chime
with our on-going efforts to provide
employment opportunities for young
Apprentices geared-up for action at BT’s training centre in Cross Hands
people as the Superfast Cymru rollout
continues to progress. This was poignantly
highlighted when the Deputy Minister
for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates AM
visited BT’s training centre at Cross Hands
in recognition of National Apprenticeship
Week earlier this March. The Deputy
Minister met some of the 94 apprentices
BT has recruited in Wales since the start
of the Superfast Cymru programme,
including 20-year-old Sam Jenkins from
Birchgrove, Swansea. He told Assembly
Briefing that “I feel I have been very
fortunate to get this opportunity as it
allows me to work on a project that is
continually developing… Because of the
various aspects of the job I get to work in
different locations and am always meeting
new people.”
During the visit, Ken Skates AM welcomed
the opportunities that BT have on offer,
explaining that “What we see here today
is an excellent example of how a company
such as BT has recognised the potential of
these apprentices and has given them the
opportunity to contribute to the delivery
of one of the most exciting and innovative
technological developments we have ever
seen in Wales.”
As ardent champions of vocational
training, our recruits receive high-quality,
hands-on work experience that allows
them to build upon their strengths whilst
also developing new skills. It goes without
saying that you certainly won’t see any
of our young employees confined to
making cups of tea. On the contrary, our
apprentices and graduates are at the heart
of what we do, bringing in a welcome
stream of fresh insight and new ideas.
We know that as technologies shift and
change, so too must the workforce that
underpins them, meaning that young
employees will always have a crucial part
to play in BT’s future.
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
From Afghanistan to Abergynolwyn
In this edition of Assembly
Briefing, the theme of workbased learning sparked our
curiosity about what vocational
training really means to BT’s
apprentices.
For many years, apprenticeships have
been hailed as a reliable starting
point to launch a career, yet they now
attract a far broader range of talented
individuals than ever before, with many
candidates applying at various stages
in their professional development. For
instance, the route that Neil Davies
took to becoming an apprentice with
Openreach gives real meaning to the
dictum of ‘transferable skills.’
Originally from Old Colwyn, Neil
joined the army at the age of 19. His
engineering and communications
interests led him to enter the Signals
Division where he was tasked with
constructing and maintaining
communication infrastructure wherever
it was required. Neil told Assembly
Briefing that his time in the army helped
him to develop his skills as an engineer,
but also more holistically it helped him
to develop important life skills needed
in the workplace too. After spending
three exciting years in Germany and six
months in Afghanistan, Neil eventually
decided to leave his army career for a
job a little closer to home, choosing to
swap the thrills of an army career for the
rolling hills of North Wales on a two and
half year engineering apprenticeship
with Openreach. He is one of many
ex-forces personnel that have been
recruited by BT as part of an ongoing
partnership.
Feeling the need to refresh his career
and take on a new challenge, Neil
told Assembly Briefing “What I really
wanted was the opportunity to get a
Neil Davies in his Openreach uniform
qualification that would open doors
to a broad range of engineering jobs.
So the promise of two and a half years
on-the-job training with a respected
qualification at the end of it was really
appealing. Nowadays it’s very difficult
finding the right job, but if you pursue
your own career the opportunities are
there, you just have to take them.”
Now half way through his
apprenticeship, Neil explained that
one of the best parts of his work is that
no job is ever the same and that often
he has the ability to structure his own
days. Granted, he may not be travelling
across the globe anymore. Nevertheless,
driving out to various jobs across the
beautiful landscape of North Wales
can be just as breath-taking, and now
he also has time after work to play
football and squash in his spare time.
Indeed, when we asked what he most
enjoyed about the apprenticeship, Neil
confidently replied “days like these!”
pointing to the sunshine and blue skies
which make the outdoor aspects of the
job even more satisfying.
Neil’s story goes to show that there is no
‘one size fits all’ apprenticeship, and that
vocational training can be instrumental
at all stages of career development.
The excellent qualifications, as well as
technical and interpersonal skills that
apprentices gain, mean they aren’t
closed categories open only to the few.
Quite the opposite, BT has led the way in
demonstrating that an apprenticeship is
a lifelong learning opportunity that can
provide anyone keen to build on their
skills a gateway to a new career.
Summer 2014
Wales
Assembly
BT Sport helps youngsters punch above
their weight
2012 was a terrific year for
sport in Wales, with a recordbreaking 30 Welsh men and
women competing in the
London Olympics.
Two years on from the games, it would
appear the word ‘legacy’ is still in the
air, with Cardiff recently being named
‘2014 European Capital of Sport’. In
harmony with this, BT Sport’s charitable
initiative ‘The Supporters Club’ is making
its own contribution to this Olympic
legacy here in Wales. BT Sport, through
The Supporters Club, has given grants to
grassroots sports projects across the UK
and around the world, and who better to
spearhead this cause in Wales than the
former middleweight boxing champion
Joe Calzaghe and his father Enzo,
himself a successful boxing coach. On
a visit to a local boxing club in Newport
sponsored by The Supporters Club this
March, Joe saw first-hand how the club
is benefitting the local community and
specifically younger generations.
As part of a documentary examining
how sport can help individuals overcome
life’s challenges, Joe met the club’s
inspirational coaches and volunteers,
telling them how boxing transformed
his own life when he was younger. It’s
a little known fact that Joe grew up in
a tough area near Newport and was
bullied as a child. He told the volunteers
that “When I was bullied at school
I struggled to understand myself. I
became introverted and didn’t have
any self-worth; boxing gave me the
discipline, strength and focus I needed
to respect myself and others.”
Whilst not all the young boxers Joe
met will follow his footsteps in the
Joe and his father Enzo Calzaghe
international arena, he explained that
a sport like boxing can give young
people the confidence and resilience
needed to find their way in life. Speaking
afterwards Joe said “I loved meeting
them, sparring with them and finding
out their stories. We must ensure that
local clubs and coaches are supported
to enable them to continue their great
community work.” But surely good
community work happens everywhere
you say? Well maybe so, but as a sporting
role model, Joe’s visit emphasised the
tremendous impact sport can have on
a young person sceptical about their
future. In particular, Joe’s message
of legacy emphasises that grass roots
programmes such as those sponsored
by The Supporter’s Club are where the
greatest impacts are often felt.
BT recognises that nurturing local
sports clubs is essential, particularly
when it comes to tackling issues around
education and unemployment. In fact,
thirty years after Joe’s experience, local
sports projects are continuing to have
tremendous effects on the futures of
young people in Wales. So whilst many
think the word ‘legacy’ is overused,
Joe’s visit highlights the important
role that funding initiatives like The
Supporters Club are still playing in Welsh
communities today.