Telecommunications

The telephone network is a very large and complicated system that spans most of the world. The recent growth of technology (in particular mobile phones, the Internet and broadband) has had an impact on the way we communicate with each other.

Click here for useful links on working and studying in telecoms.

What you need to do to work in telecommunications

Young people (16 - 19 years old) can train as a technician apprentice in telecommunications. In order to do this you need four GCSEs (A - C grade), including maths and science or technology. A technician's role will vary, depending on their area of expertise. Technicians can be involved in setting up a complex communications network within a large commercial organisation or installing a satellite system in someone's house.

Computer skills and qualifications in ICT are much in demand, and of great value for people who want to work in this sector. London colleges run courses aimed to provide exactly these skills and qualifications. The City and Islington College runs an IT (ICT Systems Support) First Diploma (see below). This could lead directly to employment or on to a higher level of study.

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BT

The largest telecommunications network in the UK is operated by BT. Their network is also used by over 600 other companies providing telecommunications services. For more information see the bottom of this article.

BT has a scheme called 'Career Start' which offers office based apprenticeships in their network management centres. This role involves taking calls from new customers, wishing to be connected to BT, or existing customers who are reporting a fault on a phone line, and sending out a technician to fix the problem. Apprenticeships are also available for technical engineers. This involves travelling to where a new line is to be installed or to where a fault was reported, and carrying out the necessary work.

Cilck here for useful links on BT Careers

Some background on BT

BT was once the telecommunication division of the Post Office; it was renamed British Telecom in 1980, privatised in 1984, and renamed again in 1991 to become BT. It is a leading provider of communications solutions around the world, and a key employer for the ICT and E-skills sector.

The BT group provides services and products in all areas of telecommunications. It manufactures a wide range of telephones and fax machines, rents both analogue and digital telephone lines, and offers services in mobile communications, networks and data handling, and Internet access and web hosting.The largest communication network in the UK belongs to BT. It includes over 120 million kilometres of metal wires and seven million kilometres of fibre. Laid end to end, the wires and fibres would go round the world approximately 3,500 times. A large number of technicians and engineers are involved in the upkeep, improvement and repairs of this vast network.Many of the services and networks have been built separately and they are now being brought together by using new technology (a process known as convergence). The eventual goal is complete convergence - being able to access or send any information in any form, using any device at any location.Career opportunities in BT are available in business management, commerce, engineering and technology.

Other companies

The industry also includes companies like NTL and Cable and Wireless who provide cable television as well as voice and Internet across a large fibre optic network. Jobs might include installing a cable to someone's home or working in customer services centre providing remote support.

Click here for useful links on careers in other telecomunication companies.

Other career opportunities

Other career opportunities exist in areas which used to belong to IT, including computer programming and designing networks for the communications industry. Nowdays, the majority of businesses use the internet and rely on email. This has meant a sharp increase in jobs that involve telecommunications and ICT/E-skills.

Mobile phone services

Mobile phone services are also growing. Between 1993 and 2003 the number of mobile users world-wide rose from 35 million to 1,330 million - around a fifth of the world's population! Careers opportunities are available in companies like Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile.

Click here for useful links on careers with mobile phone companies and here for other training options.