BT opens 2026 tech careers at flagship Salford hub

BT has opened applications for its 2026 graduate and apprenticeship intake, including new roles based at its New Bailey office in Salford. Local political leaders used a visit to the site to highlight the firm's cyber security work and skills activity in Greater Manchester.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford, toured BT's New Bailey site and met apprentices and graduates on the company's early careers programme. The visit took place ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.

BT said its operations contributed £920 million to the Greater Manchester economy in 2024/25. It has positioned the Salford office as a flagship location, combining specialist teams with recruitment and training.

Cyber focus

During the visit, the mayors were shown BT's cyber security work, which the company said supports public services, critical national infrastructure and businesses of different sizes.

They also discussed the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's 10-year strategy, which aims to make the region a leading centre for security and artificial intelligence. BT said its work at New Bailey aligns with that direction.

Cyber security has become a growing priority for public sector organisations and businesses as attacks increase in frequency and disruption. Technology groups and telecoms firms have expanded managed security services and incident response work alongside network and cloud offerings.

TechFirst partnership

BT also highlighted its partnership with TechFirst, a government-backed initiative that encourages students from different backgrounds to consider careers in technology. Areas referenced during the visit included cyber security, AI, quantum computing, software and data.

More than 800 young people took part across Greater Manchester last year, BT said. The company expects participation to rise following the opening of the New Bailey office.

The focus on outreach and early careers recruitment reflects wider competition for digital skills across the UK. Employers in sectors from financial services to manufacturing have reported shortages in security and data roles, while local and national government has promoted apprenticeships and alternative routes into technology jobs.

Early careers

Burnham and Dennett also attended an Early Careers Hackathon at New Bailey. BT described it as team-based work on "real world problems" and early-stage ideas linked to the business.

Applications for BT's 2026 graduate and apprentice scheme are now open until 22 February, with roles available in Salford.

BT Business chief commercial officer Chris Sims said the Salford operation supports both security work and skills development.

"Welcoming the Mayors to New Bailey was a great chance to showcase the important work BT is doing here in Greater Manchester. Our teams are keeping essential services and businesses safe from online threats and helping our customers adopt new technologies and grow with confidence. It's brilliant to see so many engaged young people developing the skills needed to carry that work forward," said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, BT Business.

Burnham said the New Bailey site reflected the scale of the region's ambitions in digital industries and jobs.

"BT's investment at New Bailey shows the scale of the opportunity we have in Greater Manchester to lead the next wave of digital growth," said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. "It's been great to see first-hand BT's commitment to developing talent, strengthening our ambition to be a world-leading digital city region, and our commitment to giving young people clear pathways into well-paid careers.

"Together, we're creating real opportunities to help young people shape their future and thrive," he said.

Dennett said BT's presence in Salford supports training, access to employment and improved living standards.

"Investing in Salford's workforce to create training and employment opportunities is a key priority to promote social inclusion, drive economic growth and raise living standards in our city. Salford's Employment and Skills Strategy 2023-28 has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that Salford residents can access the benefits of the city's growing labour market and BT's investment in the digital and cybersecurity landscape is a great example of building a more inclusive economy that benefits more people," said Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford.

BT said the New Bailey office will continue to host specialist teams and early careers activity as it expands recruitment for next year's graduate and apprentice intake.