Sky has announced plans to directly employ 500 engineers to install its new TV platform Sky Q.
The new engineers, hired across the UK, will join 500 new customer service hires to be based at the firm鈥檚 Leeds city centre location, a total increase of 1,000 new employees.
The new jobs will see Sky鈥檚 UK and Ireland employee base grow to 25,000 employees 鈥� an increase of nearly 5 per cent.
More than 1,000 people already work for Sky in Leeds, the majority of which are based in its tech hub, Sky@Leeds Dock.
The firm already employs 3,500 engineers in the UK, with its new permanent positions currently recruiting all over the UK.
鈥淥ur customers love viewing all their favourite shows in one place with Sky Q, so it鈥檚 great that 500 new Sky engineers will be hitting the roads right across the UK this winter to meet growing customer demand,鈥� said the firm鈥檚 UK and Ireland CEO Stephen van Rooyen.
鈥淭ogether with our expanded team in Leeds, these 1,000 new employees are a real testament to Sky鈥檚 commitment to customer service and investment to create a diverse workforce right across the UK.鈥�
鈥淎s it continues to grow as a vibrant hub of digital and technological innovation, we鈥檙e delighted to be creating 500 new roles to join our brilliant team in Leeds to meet demand and provide the best service possible for our customers.鈥�
In September, Sky announced the launch of its Sky Studios鈥� Innovation Hub in Leeds, and is currently in production with five Sky original shows across the North and North West.