LONDON, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BT Engage IT, the IT services division of BT, has embarked on its biggest recruitment drive to date, and is looking to employ more than 40 IT sales professionals in the next six months, as the initial phase to support its three-year growth plan. It has also launched its own apprenticeship scheme, which will take around 20 apprentices this year.

The recruitment programme, led by BT Engage IT's HR director David Biggs, is an integral part of the company's growth across its IT product, professional and managed services, and support businesses.

Working in partnership with Claremont Consulting, a specialist IT recruitment company, BT Engage IT is recruiting for a range of job functions across its business, including consultants, account managers and account directors who are specialists in specific disciplines.

The BT Engage IT apprenticeship scheme, which has been developed as part of the wider BT Group programme, and in conjunction with HTI (Heads, Teachers & Industry), will aim to recruit more than 20 school leavers this year and between 30 and 40 in subsequent years.

The programme, which works with apprentices for up to three years, provides training and assessment for an NVQ level three qualification in a range of IT-related disciplines at BT Engage IT's facilities in Barlborough, Derbyshire, and Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. The aim is to equip apprentices with the skills they need to build a long career in IT.

Martin Balaam, managing director at BT Engage IT, said: "We're at a really exciting time for the business, and have set ourselves some ambitious targets. Our move to recruit a large number of industry specialists has created a stir in the market - and will help us drive sales and increase our market share."

David Biggs, HR director at BT Engage IT, added: "A lot of our customer feedback talks about the quality of our people, and that's what sets us aside from the competition. That's why this recruitment programme is so important: getting the right people is integral to our growth strategy, but also for ensuring we provide the level of service the industry demands and our customers have come to expect."

For more information about BT Engage IT, please visit http://www.btengageit.com.

SOURCE BT Engage IT