New early careers roles live with Virgin Media O2

• Virgin Media O2 has opened applications for scores of new early-career roles including Apprentice Field Technician positions across the country
• Apprenticeship salaries start from £24k and require no prior experience with permanent roles offered on completion
• The new roles come after Virgin Media O2 hired its 1,000th apprentice early this year and follow the launch of its £1 million Apprenticeship Talent Fund which is supporting the next generation of STEM talent

Virgin Media O2 has opened applications for a new wave of field engineer apprenticeship roles as it continues to upgrade networks across the UK and invest in the next generation of skilled workers.

The jobs – available nationwide including in London, Leeds, Reading, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow – combine work with on-the-job training and dedicated study time.

Successful applicants will earn as they learn and gain valuable skills through the structured programme which will see them installing broadband, phone and TV services and carrying out maintenance of the operator’s reliable gigabit network.

The field technician roles at Virgin Media O2 require no prior experience or formal qualifications. The company uses a fully ‘blind recruitment’ approach to remove potential bias from shortlisting and ensure applicants are assessed fairly and solely on their potential.

Virgin Media O2 invests heavily in its apprentices, with each learner receiving training and support worth thousands. Field engineer apprentices work towards a Level 2 Telecoms Field qualification over a 13-month programme, gaining the core skills they need for long-term careers in the sector. Everyone who successfully completes their apprenticeship is also offered a permanent role within the company.

This year, the telecoms company celebrated hiring its 1,000th apprentice. This milestone reflects its long-term commitment to creating successful apprenticeship career pathways in a wide range of areas.

To further support people starting out in STEM-related roles, Virgin Media O2 also unveiled a £1 million Apprenticeship Talent Fund – an initiative designed to break down barriers to entering technical careers. The fund offers targeted support to help women and individuals from global majority backgrounds succeed, by covering training costs for smaller organisations that want to hire apprentices but may lack the resources to do so.

Karen Handley, Head of Future Careers at Virgin Media O2, said: “At Virgin Media O2, our people work day-in and day-out to upgrade the UK and provide the best services for customers.

“We’re continuing to invest in jobs, skills and opportunities for the next-generation of talented people from all backgrounds, with our apprentices and graduates playing a vital role in keeping the country connected.

“If you want to earn while you learn, develop specialist skills and join a team that’s building the UK’s digital future, we’d love to hear from you.”

More information on the opportunities and life at Virgin Media O2 can be found on the operators Future Careers page here.

Notes to editors:

Apprenticeships –

Field Technician:

• 70 Roles Available across 36 locations in England
• Starting salary of £26.5k
• Application Deadline: Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 (Location Dependant)
• Start Date: April/May 2026

Network engineers:

• 8 roles across the country
• Starting Salary £27K
• Application deadline: Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
• Start date: April 2026

Security and Fraud:

• 4 roles available
• Starting Salary from £24K
• Application deadline: Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
• Start date: April 2026

Industrial Placements –

Finance Interns:

• 4 Roles Available
• Starting salary of £25K + Welcome Bonus
• Application Deadline: Dec 2025 – Feb 2026
• Start Date: July 2026