BT scraps graduate recruitment programme

Telecoms giant BT has scrapped its graduate recruitment scheme because of the economic downturn, becoming one of the biggest companies to axe such a scheme, British newspapers reported.

"In the light of the current economic environment and headcount pressures, BT has taken the decision to cease graduate recruitment activity and are no longer running a graduate recruitment programme," The Guardian newspaper quoted the telecoms giant in a statement.

"At the present time, there is no timeline for re-entry," it said.

The company, Britain's ninth-largest employer, said the number of graduates applying for the 130 jobs on the programme has climbed to 4,800 this year from 3,800 in 2007, the Guardian said.

Britain's fixed-line telecoms provider has cut its dividend and announced 15,000 further job losses in May after its total workforce, both permanent and contract staff, fell by 15,000 to 147,000 in the year to March.