A HYPERFAST broadband firm has called for the Government to invest in “shovel-ready” engineers after seeing its own workforce sky-rocket by 500 per cent last year.

County Broadband, which is based in Aldham, is warning the Government is likely to miss out on its commitment to bring gigabit broadband infrastructure nationwide by 2025 unless it takes action now.

The firm is backing calls by the Independent Networks Co-operative Association for investment in training to boost the number of engineers available in the industry.

Since the start of 2019 County Broadband has seen its workforce increase five-fold, from 16 to 80, after securing £46 million Aviva investment to bring hyperfast broadband to 20,000 homes in rural areas of north Essex.

Once the rollout is complete the firm will have laid 14,000 miles of cable - enough to double wrap the moon - giving residents in 50 areas including the likes of Eight Ash Green and Stanway access to speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

Chief executive Lloyd Felton said: “Recent events have highlighted just how important next generation broadband access is going to be.

“The Government has rightly placed a high priority on broadband provision, including awarding key-worker status to network engineers.

“We are proud to have completed the delivery of our new Hyperfast networks in rural Essex, benefitting thousands of residents and businesses during such a difficult and challenging time, and have many more networks in build and nearing completion.

“Upgrading the region’s digital infrastructure will play a central role in boosting the economic recovery and this requires a shovel-ready pipeline of engineers, IT technicians and other skilled industry specialists.”

County Broadband says training must be prioritised by the Government if it wants to meet its 100 per cent access target by 2025.

Mr Felton added: “We need a firm commitment from the Government to direct enough resources and training opportunities into the engineering industry, and whilst we pledge to play our role to help identify and train future-ready local talent, we will continue to work with and support INCA in ensuring the rapidly-evolving industry gets the funding assurances we need.”

At the moment only 12 per cent of the UK can access full-fibre networks.

Visit countybroadband.co.uk.