Careers fit for the future as WorkPath joins forces with UK’s fastest broadband provider

Future engineers from across Tower Hamlets have been given the opportunity to get a hands-on insight into the role.

Around 40 residents of the borough were able to handle equipment and try their hand at different wiring techniques thanks to a new partnership between Hyperoptic, the UK’s largest and fastest growing gigabit broadband provider and WorkPath, the dedicated employment and training service for Tower Hamlets council.

As Hyperoptic installs fibre all the way into the building, it delivers the fastest, most reliable broadband service in the UK. Tenants never have to worry about peak-time slowdowns, buffering and frustrating timeouts. Hyperoptic’s services are already live across a number of Tower Hamlet’s social housing developments, including: Bancroft Estate, Matilda House, Mace Street Development and Brodick House. It is currently installing its services at Barley Mow Estate.

To support the build of its full fibre network, Hyperoptic needed to expand its fibre installation team. Its company ethos is to always support local communities by recruiting locally where possible. This is where WorkPath offered an ideal partnership.

Using the council’s ability to communicate directly with the local community, in person and online, WorkPath was able to register interest from dozens of local people either looking for work or looking to change careers.

Those who attended the initial familiarisation sessions were given the chance not only to try out some of the physical work involved, but also to meet with Hyperoptic engineers who are already doing the very same job on the ground.

A series of interviews and practical tests followed for those who were interested in pursuing the opportunities available.

Tim Huxtable, Head of Public Sector, Hyperoptic, said:

“Thanks to this partnership with Workpath, we have now recruited over 15 new starters. This will enable us to expledtaie the rollout of our network across Tower Hamlets.

“The response to our hyperfast broadvand services has been incrediably positive, and we plan to further support the authority via offering its residents free digital inclusion training, which we will run from the Bancroft Estate throghout September.”

John Biggs, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:

“Helping our residents to access jobs and training continues to be an absolute priority for the council.

“These engineering roles are at the cutting edge of technology in a sector that is only going to grow. They’re exactly the kind of opportunities we should be encouraging people to pursue.”

Cllr Motin Uz-Zaman, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Growth, said:

“WorkPath continues to deliver really great results for the residents of the borough.

“By working directly with major employers such as Hyperoptic, we are able to ensure our residents have every chance of being first in line for these exciting new career opportunities.

“I look forward to hearing the success stories as these candidates move on through the application process.”