Jobs boost as telecomsfirm set to expand

AROUND 100 new jobs are to be created in Glasgow with the biggest expansion of telecoms giant Vodafone ‘for years.’

The company is adding 2,100 jobs across the UK, with new customer service roles across the Midlands, north of England, Scotland and Wales over the next two years.

Vodafone said it will create around 800 jobs at its existing customer services centre in Manchester, almost 150 in Newark, more than 150 in Stoke-on-Trent and around 100 in Glasgow.

Vodafone UK chief executive Nick Jeffery said: “These new, skilled roles will make a real difference to our customers and a real difference to the communities that are the focus of our customer services investment.

“Our ambition is to give our customers the best experience possible, providing an outstanding level of service and support as we continue to invest in building the biggest and best network in Britain.”

Vodafone said the new jobs will enhance the quality of service for its 18 million UK customers as part of a three-year, £2 billion investment programme in its network and services.

In addition, Vodafone’s thirdparty customer service partners will create almost 600 jobs in Newcastle upon Tyne, nearly 200 roles in the west of Scotland and 100 in Cardiff.

Vodafone has 3,700 workers in its UK customer care operation - 2,450 in-house and 1,250 with other partners.

The company has around 12,500 employees in the UK.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said: “Vodafone is one of our country’s great international success stories and it’s fantastic this global organisation is demonstrating its confidence in the UK by creating new jobs across the North, in the Midlands, in Scotland and in Wales.

“We are working hard to create the right conditions for commercial investment, and today’s announcement is proof Britain is well and truly open for business.”