30 July 2021
Ken Hillyer, international lead - network infrastructure at CNet Training
Earlier this year, the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, praised broadband providers for helping to create more than 22,000 new jobs, this followed an announcement by the UK government on their target to roll out full fibre coverage to a minimum of 85% gigabit-capable at a cost of £1.2 billion by 2025.
Whilst this is great news for the number of recruitment opportunities that will be available within the sector, it comes at a time when there is already a serious skills shortage across network cable infrastructure. The pre-existing skills shortage was further hit recently by Brexit, with less European talent staying in the UK. Now, with this substantial full fibre target to meet, how will the sector be able to find enough people to undertake the essential installation needed? The network cable sector, in fact the whole of the digital infrastructure industry, is still a relatively hidden industry, with the pathways into it not readily signposted or known about. Most of the leading installation companies across the UK have announced recruitment drives for cable installers to help build the necessary infrastructure. However, this does not mean that there are enough people out there with or without the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding of network cable infrastructure to fill in the recruitment gaps.
The conundrum is where to look for all these new people and how they can be prepared quick enough and at adequate skill level to undertake the necessary fibre installation that is required, all within an industry where accuracy and quality of workmanship is essential to ensure everyone can stay connected without any glitches or costly outages, the latter is incredibly important.
Where is the future talent?
Finding pockets of individuals that are ready, willing and able is one route to plugging the employee gap. For example, many organisations are targeting Armed Forces leavers with resettlement recruitment drives, providing them with training and entry into a new career. Whilst some leavers may already have cabling experience, some may not, but the core skills that ex-Forces personnel leave with are a great fit to working within the network infrastructure industry. Employers love their disciplined approach to their work and their loyalty.
Companies, like CNet Training, that have dedicated cable installation resettlement education programs, allow Armed Forces leavers to become fully trained, officially certified and qualified to install both copper and fibre systems within a couple of weeks and, as they have a work placement element to their programs, they also provide vital on-the-job experience. Naturally, organisations are also looking at adjacent industries, such electrical and automotive, who may also have like-minded individuals who would like to broaden their current skillsets.
Another resource pool that is just waiting to be tapped into, is those who have found themselves unemployed. The pandemic has economically threatened many industries and, as a result, has caused significant job loss. The aviation sector is a prime example. Of course, many of those who were working within this sector will have little to no experience of working with fibre or within the network infrastructure sector. However, with the right education and training, they could be a perfect source of new talent.
Working with the Department for Work and Pensions, funding organisations and education providers, some network installation companies are finding, assessing and professionally educating local unemployed people and inducting them straight into network cable installation roles. Another longer-term solution to finding new talent is apprenticeships, on and off the job training. This can take up over a year to complete but it can help to attract school leavers and other new entrants and will contribute to a future talent pipeline. There is now a dedicated network cable installer (NCI) apprenticeship that is proving popular for both individuals wishing to join the sector, and companies looking to find individuals to employ and put through the apprenticeship.
Working with schools and becoming a viable vocational pathway option on leaving would no doubt help with the future of recruitment within the industry. Thinking beyond just plugging the gaps in the immediate necessity and focusing on the future of the industry as a whole is imperative, carving out career potentials that will allow people to evolve as much as the industry does.
Training is essential
The key is for network installation companies to have a compelling proposition for new entrants, one that also demonstrates a commitment to an investment focused on education, training, and on-going professional development as well as career progression. Having this in place, alongside an awareness campaign about the industry, will certainly help to entice new talent from all areas and work towards meeting the Government’s targets, but it doesn’t stop there. Once the targets are met, there is still plenty of opportunity to continue to develop, upskill and expand engineers and technician’s knowledge into new technologies, creating future network infrastructure specialists.
The worry is that with such an importance being placed on moving to full fibre by the Government, recruitment drives by network installation companies will be ramped up and many people will be taken on with no previous experience, given basic training and set off to install this vital cabling. Fact is, if not installed correctly, major connection problems can occur, such as knocking out national and global systems, leaving many disgruntled customers and businesses in its wake and potentially causing significant financial fallout. For an industry that is so vital, an essential fourth utility, there is not currently a requirement for standardised training, certified knowledge or qualifications to undertake the installation, something that surely needs to be addressed.
