Wildanet Welcomes Nine Apprentices to Technical Training Academy

Cornwall based broadband provider Wildanet has welcomed its largest ever group of apprentices to its Technical Training Academy, continuing its effort to develop digital skills across the region.

The class of 2025/26 brings nine new apprentices into the Academy. The group ranges in age from 17 to 36 and comes from a wide variety of backgrounds including a former college student, tree surgeon, delivery driver and a worker from the water industry.

None of the new recruits had previous experience in telecoms. Wildanet says the Academy is designed to spot potential and open up new career routes into the digital sector.

Following an intensive training programme, the apprentices are expected to begin delivering services to customers after just four months. Their work will support Wildanet’s ongoing rollout of full fibre broadband across Cornwall and Devon.

Building on Earlier Success

The latest intake follows two earlier groups of apprentices who have already completed the programme.

The first cohort included four apprentices. All passed their training and three achieved distinctions. Three of that group secured long term roles with Wildanet, with two becoming installation engineers and one moving into a sales role. One apprentice was also shortlisted in the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards 2025.

The second cohort included six apprentices. Five achieved distinctions and one passed. Five remain with the company, four working as installation engineers and one progressing to the role of Academy Coordinator. The sixth apprentice later joined the Royal Signals.

“A Real, Tangible Impact”

Ian Carmichael, Head of the Wildanet Technical Training Academy, said the results from the programme are already becoming clear.

Ian Carmichael said:
“What we are seeing now is the real, tangible impact of the Academy. Our first two cohorts have achieved exceptional results and gone on to build meaningful careers, either within Wildanet or beyond. Our newest apprentices bring a mix of ages, life experience and backgrounds and that diversity is a real strength. None came from telecoms, but through structured training, mentoring and hands-on experience, they are already developing the skills needed to deliver high-quality services to our customers.”

Training the Next Generation of Engineers

The Wildanet Technical Training Academy was launched in 2023 and was developed in partnership with Truro and Penwith College.

It was created to train the next generation of telecoms engineers while supporting the rollout of gigabit capable broadband to rural and hard to reach communities.

Julie-Anne Sunderland, Chief People Officer at Wildanet, said the programme is helping both the company and the region.

Julie-Anne Sunderland said:
“From the outset, our ambition was to create more than just an apprenticeship scheme; we wanted to attract talented individuals, support them to learn and build long-term careers and at the same time leave a lasting skills legacy for Cornwall and the South West.

“Seeing apprentices progress into engineering roles and leadership positions with company, and indeed within the Academy itself, or to go on to highly respected careers outside the business, is a powerful endorsement of the quality of training we are delivering. This latest cohort is another important step forward as we continue to invest in people, opportunity and the future workforce needed to support the region’s digital connectivity.”