CityFibre and PQMS expand specialist network construction training partnership


Hexatronic Group AB (publ)
556168-6360

Press Release December 17, 2020

CityFibre and PQMS expand specialist network construction training partnership

PQMS Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexatronic Group AB, has extended its partnership with CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, in support of their three-year recruitment and training programme to create up to 10,000 jobs constructing full fibre networks across the UK. PQMS, which currently provides specialised training for CityFibre’s build partner’s operatives in Coventry, will now significantly increase its capacity, launching new programmes across two additional sites in Bury and Pulborough.

PQMS provides courses to CityFibre including Streetworks (NRSWA) and accredited Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA), equipping trainees to deliver both new-build networks as well as utilising BT Openreach’s ducts and poles. In addition, CityFibre and PQMS have designed bespoke training modules specifically for CityFibre’s own PIA network architecture. Particular focus will be placed on Health and Safety training as well as the maintenance of the highest quality of standards.

For CityFibre to ensure the delivery of its £4 billion Gigabit City Investment Programme, they are supporting its build partners to grow their businesses with long-term contracts for whole-town or whole-city deployments. In addition, they are providing recruitment and training programmes through partners like PQMS to help ensure sufficient skilled construction workers are in place to deliver the huge expansion in concurrent rollouts targeting 8 million premises.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with PQMS who have proven themselves to be a valuable and ambitious partner in our drive to secure the capacity of our build programme. The training provided is a real opportunity to create a new generation of network construction workers, skilled in the deployment and maintenance of the digital networks of the future. We are already seeing graduates flourish in new roles and we look forward to thousands more joining our ranks and helping us to build a world class infrastructure for the UK.” says Richard Thorpe, Chief Delivery Officer at CityFibre

“PQMS are very pleased to be supporting the development of CityFibre's training programme and to have been awarded a preferred supplier agreement to deliver specialist training to both CityFibre's staff and their construction partners,” says Liam Minehane, Chief Executive Officer at PQMS Training

Hexatronic is a strategic supplier to CityFibre of passive fibre optic solutions including fibre optic cables, duct, and other network components.

We are very delighted to further extend our successful partnership with CityFibre. Last year we signed an agreement to supply CityFibre with passive fibre optic solutions and we have been privileged to support them in the rollout of their training programme. By extending our provision of training services across new sites, we will help to ensure that CityFibre and their partners have the skilled workforce at their disposal to keep the build programme moving at pace and that every metre of new network is built to the highest quality standards. says Henrik Larsson Lyon, CEO of Hexatronic Group.

Gothenburg, December 17, 2020

Henrik Larsson Lyon

CEO Hexatronic Group

For more information, please contact:

Henrik Larsson Lyon, CEO Hexatronic Group, +46 706 50 34 00

CityFibre is the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform. With existing networks in more than 60 towns and cities, CityFibre provides wholesale connectivity to multiple business and consumer service providers, local authorities and mobile operators. CityFibre has network rollouts underway with plans to pass up to 8 million homes and businesses with open-access full fibre infrastructure. A growing number of Gigabit City projects have been announced for full-city rollouts and CityFibre continues to prime its existing network assets for expansion. CityFibre is based in London and is jointly controlled by Antin Infrastructure Partners and West Street Infrastructure Partners. For more information, visit www.cityfibre.com

PQMS Training was founded in 1999 and is approved by over 20 industry awarding organisations. PQMS is also approved to deliver government funded Apprenticeship Training Programs and it is the UK’s leading independent Telecoms, PIA and utilities training provider. PQMS has centres strategically placed in Bedworth, Bury and West Sussex. Plans are at an advanced stage to open additional centres in Scotland and other locations in 2021. PQMS is a strategic national training partner to CityFibre, supporting its extensive training and recruitment programme that underpins its national rollout of full fibre infrastructure. For more information, visit www.pqmstraining.co.uk

Hexatronic Group AB (publ) is a group that develops, markets and delivers products, components and system solutions with the main focus on the fiber optic market. Hexatronic offers a wide range of innovative system and product solutions mainly for passive fiber optic infrastructure with global trademarks like Matrix, Viper, Stingray, Raptor, InOne, Drytech™, Lightmate®, Skyline and Wistom®. The Group has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden and has sales offices and/or subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, China, New Zealand, US and Canada. The Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker HTRO. For more information, visit www.hexatronicgroup.com.

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2020-12-17 CityFibre and PQMS expand specialist network construction training partnership