Openreach has announced a major jobs boost for Dundee after launching a national recruitment drive.
The company has created 500 positions - including around 390 apprenticeships - across Scotland.
It will be looking to fill at least 40 positions across Tayside in the near future and is recruiting from all walks of the community.
Last year, 17% of its intake of trainee engineers in Scotland were women – more than triple the year before.
One of those recruits was Spartans FC player Alana Marshall, 34, from Dunfermline in Fife, who was a dog walker before making the switch into engineering.
“I’ve always been interested in engineering and wanted to have a good job for my daughter,” said the semi-professional footballer, who has been capped for Scotland.
“I really love getting my hands dirty and with this job you certainly do. I never have two days the same and haven’t come across anything I don’t like so far.
“I’ve had positive customer reactions. I know I’ll come across some challenges in the future – I’m used to it with playing football.
“I’d tell other women considering engineering to go for it, never have any doubt that you can’t or shouldn’t be doing a job like this. We are just as capable.”
Sixty-five jobs will be available in Fife and Ayrshire, 55 in Edinburgh and Glasgow, 40 in Angus, Dundee and the Highlands and islands, and 30 in Stirling and the Scottish Borders.
Natasha Carswell, 30, from Carnwath near Lanark, switched her job as a hairdresser to work at Openreach last year and has not looked back.
“During the pandemic I lost my dad, which made me decide to take life into my own hands and make it a little more exciting,” she said.
“I want to do something that excites me and is different every day.”
Openreach chief executive Clive Selley said Openreach has “much more to do in an industry that hasn’t been very diverse historically”.
He added: “We want to reflect the communities we serve and give opportunities to people from all backgrounds, so I’m encouraged that we’ve recruited more women and minority groups this year compared to last year, but we’ve got much more to do in an industry that hasn’t been very diverse historically.”
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