New ‘fibre campus’ launched at Newton Rigg near Penrith to deliver specialist skills training to engineers required to support the roll out of full fibre broadband network to over 60,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses across Cumbria.
Viberoptix Newton Rigg Fibre Campus located within the former agricultural college campus will be the hub to deliver the role out of the companies Protect Gigabit, the UK Government’s flagship programme to deliver reliable, gigabit-capable broadband to rural communities.
The latest phase of the scheme announced in November when the then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Michelle Donelan visited Newton Rigg, valued at £108m, was awarded to Fibrus and the infrastructure needs will be delivered by the team at Viberoptix.
The new Fibre Campus will house a specialist training academy, as well as the Viberoptix base for their growing workforce in the area.
In order to complete the expansion of the new full fibre network, the company plan to grow its team creating additional employment opportunities in Cumbria for 300 to 400 people.
New recruits and apprentices will be welcome from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, and full training will be provided through the academy.
Viberoptix aims to replicate the success of its training academy in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, but on an even larger scale with twice the capacity of the original facility.
The Newton Rigg Fibre Campus will allow Viberoptix to maintain apprenticeship programmes, while also continuing to provide ongoing training and development to experienced staff and contractors, the company says.
Viberoptix chief executive Naomhan McCrory said: “This is an exciting time for Viberoptix, as we prepare to open our new Fibre Campus and welcome new apprentices to the team in Cumbria.
"The roll out of full fibre broadband is important for homes and businesses across this area, both by enhancing connectivity for residents and providing significant employment opportunities alongside that.
“Our initial Fibre Academy in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, has already seen more than 500 trainees gain specialist qualifications, and become highly skilled in this innovative and growing sector.
"With the Newton Rigg Fibre Campus we will see even more apprentices come through the doors, as well as those who wish to develop their skills or possibly avail of a complete career change."
Work is already underway at the site and the Newton Rigg Fibre Campus with the first intake of apprentices expected this month.
You can find out more about the wide range of career opportunities with Viberoptix in Cumbria via https://goto.penrith.town/viberoptix-careers
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