Twenty new apprentice engineers will be hired in Cumbria as Openreach expands the UK's broadband network.

They are among 3,000 apprentices being recruited to deliver the firm's Fibre First programme, which aims to bring faster and more reliable broadband technology to three million homes and businesses across the country by 2020.

Clive Selley, chief executive of Openreach, said: “Openreach is ambitious for the UK and is determined to build full fibre as quickly as possible to ensure the country has a reliable broadband network capable of supporting future data-hungry services and applications essential for boosting productivity and sustaining our position as a leading digital economy.

“We’re making great progress towards reaching our target of upgrading three million homes and businesses to full fibre by the end of 2020 – reaching another 13,000 premises per week – and these new North West recruits will play a crucial role in that programme.

"Openreach is a people business and our new apprentices will enable us to fulfil our commitments, with an ultimate ambition to deliver the best possible connectivity to everyone, everywhere, equally, across the entire country.”

For the first time, Openreach also plans to publish details on its website detailing its build plans for the next 12 months, including the total number of exchange areas to be reached in each location. The company will update this information every three months.

Matthew Hemmings, Openreach’s director for fibre delivery in the North of England, said: “We want people from all walks of life to apply for roles at Openreach, to build a diverse workforce that reflects the hugely diverse communities we serve.

"Last year we successfully recruited more women than ever before – and this year we want to go even further."