BT is expanding its flexible contact centre operation in Belfast bringing 165 new jobs to the city.

The new roles, based in a second BT Flex contact centre opening in Riverside Tower, will bring the total number of new jobs BT has brought to Belfast since August 2012 to 270.

The new centre will employ multi-skilled service advisors who can work across any part of BT that requires additional resource for short-term campaigns. Recruitment of advisors and managers will start before the end of November and training will start when the centre opens in the New Year.

Colm O’Neill, CEO BT Northern Ireland, said: “Our first BT Flex centre located in BT’s Riverside Tower has been a great success and we are delighted that BT Group has chosen to expand our operation at this location to meet our growing demand for skilled and experienced advisors.

“BT currently employs over 2,300 people across Northern Ireland with over 1,000 of those jobs as a direct result of inward investment.

“Our new centre will help us focus on improving customer experience across all of BT’s functions and, as an innovative model of contact centre support, we’re delighted that Northern Ireland is once again leading the way.  

“We had no hesitation in expanding in Belfast, which offers us the right people with the skills and experience for this type of work. We’ve also found that the Belfast workforce have responded positively to the requirements of a flexible operation, where people are called upon to take on frequent fresh challenges and be adaptable.

“The new centre will allow us to maximise our existing infrastructure and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues on board.”

The First Minister Peter Robinson said: “BT is an established investor providing employment opportunities for over 2,000 people in Northern Ireland. I welcome today’s announcement of 165 new jobs by one of the world’s largest communications providers.

"BT considered other locations outside Northern Ireland for this project so this re-investment in a new contact centre in Belfast is further testament to the positive business environment that Northern Ireland offers global firms.”

The deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “This additional investment by BT reinforces the message delivered at the recent Investment Conference, that this is a good place to do business.

"The 165 new jobs will deliver total annual salaries of over £3 million and provide career and training opportunities to local people within the dynamic, growing telecommunications sector.”

The investment is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland, which has offered £693,000 of support under its Jobs Fund. The Department of Employment and Learning has offered up to £150,000 of training support under its Assured Skills programme.

Recruitment will be managed by BT and will involve a combination of online and telephone screening and an assessment centre.  People should apply through http://www.bt.com/careers.

For further information please contact:

Patricia Donnelly, PR Manager, BT in IrelandTel: +44 7713 332974Email:patricia.donnelly@bt.com

Gina Kelly, PR Manager, BT in IrelandTel:+353(86)780 5451Email:gina.kelly@bt.com

About BTBT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.For the year ended 31 March 2013, BT Group’s reported revenue was £18,103m with reported profit before taxation of £2,315m.British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.For more information, visit www.btplc.com