Our
people
To build the UK’s best network, we need brilliant people
Beyond the masts, cables and data that make the telecoms industry tick lies something far more valuable: the retail advisers that greet you in your local high-street store, the engineers that spend long hours fine-tuning equipment, and the thousands of support staff keeping things running in offices up and down the nation. It’s these people that, collectively, will allow VodafoneThree to make good on its promise of connecting every community.
To help them make this happen, we’re bringing together the best of both Vodafone and Three, creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, safe and supported at every life stage and with their commitments outside of work.
Talent and development
Apprenticeships
VodafoneThree launched its first ever apprenticeship programme as a newly formed organisation in February 2026, representing a doubling of Vodafone’s intake alone across the previous year.
From sixth form and college leavers to career changers, or simply those looking to grow their skills, successful applicants benefit from hands-on experience and tailored learning as they work towards their individual qualifications.
With Level 3 to Level 6 courses available, applicants have the choice of twelve different streams, covering pathways across engineering, AI, data, tech and business. Eight of these represent new introductions on previous Vodafone offerings.
Level 4 Project Management,
where learners manage projects that directly support our network ambitions.
Level 6 AI and Machine Learning,
which places apprentices at the forefront of AI transformation within the network space.
Graduate programme
The newly launched VodafoneThree Graduate Future Leaders Programme helps accelerate ambitious talent from day one, combining hands-on experience with real responsibility and fast-track development. Through dedicated pathways in Commercial and Technology, it’s a powerful launchpad for graduates ready to shape the future of the telecoms industry, with the first cohort being welcomed in September 2026.
Job creation
Through our £11 billion network investment plan, we are creating 13,000 new engineering roles, primarily outside of London and the South East. This commitment is also creating new roles in our frontline teams; we have brought 400 customer contact roles back to the UK, based in Belfast and Sheffield, through our partners Concentrix, and continue to invest in our specialist care across the UK, including our Stoke Centre of Excellence. Our retail transformation will also see 4,500 jobs supported.
“As someone transitioning careers after many years in a different industry, this apprenticeship has been a transformational experience for me. It has given me the structure, support and confidence I didn’t even realise I needed – and I honestly couldn’t imagine a better place to start this new chapter.”
– Rosa Lucena, Level 6 MES Network Engineering apprentice, VodafoneThree
People policies
Annual leave
Our teams have been working hard to align our key people policies across VodafoneThree. As of 1 April 2026, VodafoneThree offers the following types of leave.
Market-leading family-related leave policies:
- Up to 39 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, up to 16 weeks paid leave for paternity leave, and up to 12 weeks paid leave for shared parental leave.
- All employees on above family-related leave can choose to return to work on 80% of their contracted hours and be paid 100% pay for the first six months.
- Paid neo-natal care leave, to support when a child is hospitalised shortly after birth.
- Up to 18 weeks of parental leave per child, one week of which is paid, which is available to take incrementally up until the child turns 18 years of age.
Up to 10 days paid leave for anyone undergoing fertility treatment and two days for a partner.
Time off to celebrate cultural or religious festivals of up to 1.5 days per year.
Up to 12 months unpaid time off for a sabbatical.
Compassionate leave (including Parental Bereavement and Pregnancy Loss) offering up to four weeks for each bereavement.
Employee networks
Each backed by a senior lead or Executive Sponsor, our employee-led networks help create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, amplifies the voices of our people, and reflects the communities and businesses we serve.
AccessABILITY: To support and raise awareness of all types of disabilities, while promoting wellbeing and inclusion for all.
Vodafone and Three are both Disability Confident Employers
Black Professionals: To empower, educate and support colleagues of African and Caribbean heritage, fostering an inclusive and connected workplace.
Multiculture: To nurture an inclusive, welcoming workplace, where every colleague feels valued and respected while celebrating their cultural heritage.
VodafoneThree is recognised as a #10 Top Employer for ethnic inclusion in Investing in Ethnicity’s ‘Maturity Matrix’
Gender Equity: To drive progress towards true gender equity where everyone, regardless of gender, feels safe, supported and able to thrive. The network includes Parents & Carers, Menopause, and Fertility Friends communities.
VodafoneThree is accredited as a Fertility Friendly employer by Fertility Matters at Work
Pride: To create a workplace where LGBTQ+ employees feel a strong sense of belonging.
VodafoneThree is recognised as a ‘Trailblazer’ by Stonewall’s Proud Employers and as an LGBTQ+ Champion in the VERCIDA Employee Excellence Awards
Armed Forces: To create an inclusive and safe environment where Veterans, Service Leavers, Reservists and Armed Forces family members – including spouses and partners – can share experiences and access support. For employees who are Reservists, VodafoneThree will grant up to a maximum of 16 days of special paid leave for the purposes of undertaking training.
Vodafone holds a Gold Award in the UK Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Volunteering
Connecting every community starts at home, which is why we give all employees three paid days off each year for volunteering. Whether it’s supporting a local foodbank, working on a digital inclusion initiative or volunteering as part of an environmental project, VodafoneThree staff have taken the opportunity to give back to their communities in our first year:
Trussell: 2025 Tesco Winter Food collection
105 volunteers
took part in the Tesco 2025 Winter Food Collection.
41 foodbanks
different UK foodbanks were supported.
1.29 million
meals’ worth of long-life food items were donated to Trussell food banks.
“These experiences give colleagues a real sense of purpose, pride and ownership in how VodafoneThree supports local communities, and I’ve found facilitating these opportunities incredibly meaningful. It’s a powerful reminder that employee-led volunteering doesn’t just help communities in crisis – it strengthens our own culture too.”
– Anabel Voysey, Governance Coordinator, VodafoneThree
Trussell: 2025 Dragon Boat race
300
VodafoneThree colleagues swapped laptops for lifejackets in support of Trussell.
27 teams
raced to win both the physical and fundraising competitions.
£26,000+
was raised to support Trussell’s vision of ending the need for food banks.
“These experiences give colleagues a real sense of purpose, pride and ownership in how VodafoneThree supports local communities, and I’ve found facilitating these opportunities incredibly meaningful. It’s a powerful reminder that employee-led volunteering doesn’t just help communities in crisis – it strengthens our own culture too.”
– Anabel Voysey, Governance Coordinator, VodafoneThree
Children’s charities at Christmas
350+
presents collected and wrapped for children facing hardship.
5 NSPCC
hubs distributed gifts across the UK.
£2,400
raised for NSPCC, Ronald McDonald House and Save the Children.
“Through bake offs, quizzes, sponsored walks and runs, Christmas gift donations to the NSPCC and a Christmas Jumper competition, colleagues raised £2,400 for NSPCC, Ronald McDonald House and Save the Children, while strengthening wellbeing, connection and team spirit and highlighting how shared purpose benefits both employees and the communities we support.”
– Charlotte Cuerden, Sustainability Business Manager, VodafoneThree