“PhilEvs - try working in that call centre and telling lies for 8 hours a day. Then tell us how great the job is.”

“I can't believe people would turn their nose up at a clean job, in a heated building with an internationally operating company.

You people are beyond.

So what about the staff turnover rate, doesn't take a lot to read a screen and a basic level of manners.”

“Facts: a lot people in Swansea know someone who worked there at some point, I would be surprised, amazed if any of them have anything good to say about their experience there. I worked there for years, NTL/Telewest/Virgin/IBM/Manpower and got so frustrated by the lack of opportunity and the poor management I just could not take it anymore, seconded from one job to another, exploited, used, abused, it undermines you as a person, you start to feel worthless. Trapped is how you feel in there, trapped. It would need a whole new management structure, a massive amount of investment at a time when most firms are struggling. Virgin have closed Liverpool people, they are trying to save money here, not spend more. When I left at the end of 2010 it was the same furniture that was there in 2000, ripped, tatty, nigh on dirty/disgusting. Is anyone seriously saying that they are going to pay decent money and there will be opportunities? I know people who still work there, some stuck, some deluded, some probably unemployable anywhere else. Listen people they might not have IBM anymore but its the same managers with the same rotten ideas. As a matter of fact to a large degree any half decent, sensible person left that place when they could, they ain't there now. The economy is in a state and I accept jobs are had to come by, you go there at your peril, be warned. Terrible hours, terrible place, awful management, located at a dead end road about sums it up!”

“Neil, I am fully aware the starting salary is 13.2k which in my eyes is derisory.

If VM want to retain or attract staff they need to pay a bit more.

The pay has remained the same whether paid by VM or Manpower.

I loved my time there but was lucky to be earning a reasonable wage after 7 years.

I would not be tempted to leave a job for 13.2k if I am honest.”

“Easy come, easy go.
http://tinyurl.com/7td6ddr
"New" jobs at VM
500 call centre staff - No idea how many will be apprentices.
120 Apprentice engineers - No idea what the pay structure at VM is.

Government Website
A new National Minimum Wage of £2.60 per hour for apprentices was introduced on 1 October 2011. http://tinyurl.com/223xs6”

“Not so long ago Virgin Media were known as NTL. They had a large office in the Newport area. Most of the staff were axed with very short notice. The staff turnover at Swansea is massive, they have been advertising non-stop for years, just to keep pace with people who leave.
Their product has a dreadful reputation. I have first hand knowledge of someone who lost their phone for over a month, whilst various, useless, so-called engineers came and went without doing the slightest bit of work to remedy the fault. Refund - no chance.”

“Facts need to be checked before spouting...The Swansea call centre is now 'in house' Virgin Media whereas previously it was contracted to IBM and staffed by Manpower the pay is better (starting on £13,200 pre bonus) as are the conditions.”

“Broadband is great maximus, well it is where i live!

The rest I agree with.”

“Great to see jobs created but OMG the pay rate is abysmal!

Was thinking of going back to work for them (made redundant a few years ago) but the pay is one of the poorest for call centre workers.”

“Wow what a wonderful job; slave-labour in a call centre, being timed as to how long you take to go to the bathroom, having to speak to chavs on the phone who won't pay their bills and being sworn at, or just decent people phoning up to complain about Virgin's p*ss-poor broadband service, just to be paid £900 a month...”