Apprentice IT Network Engineer Review

I am a Higher Apprentice Network Engineer based at Adastral Park, Ipswich. I have spent the first six months of the apprenticeship working in the Test team where we identify and fix any faults in BT services before the go out to the live network. More recently, I have been working on the BT WiFi team. Here I help to fix any customer issues that are involved in their public wifi. This includes Starbucks and Hilton Hotels. I am responsible for checking the see what made the fault occur and how it can be fixed, this may be by calling up the customer, arranging an BT engineer visit or a BT open reach visit.

I am currently studying for a Level 3 NVQ in Professional Competence in IT and Telecoms, in addition to this I am also studying for a Degree in Network Engineering. Furthermore, BT also offer in house training opportunities and beginner, intermediate and advanced level. Some things are mandatory, although others are not and you are free to do them in your spare time to learn new skills, this could be CCNA training. I have learnt how to test equipment and rectify issues and have been able to transfer these skills to the in live department I am currently working in.

In BT, most people are willing to help over people out. Most people are polite and kind. With the team I am currently in, everyone in my team have been ever so supportive and willing to train me up to a level that satisfies myself and BT. The team lead will come and speak to us in the morning and see how we are getting on - I feel valued and care for here. I enjoy the fact BT have a rotation scheme for apprentices in my department as it means I can be in different teams and can pick up a variety of skills in order to apply them to my final job role. It also helps me decide what parts of the company I prefer over others.

Whilst I feel valued in my local operational team, I don't feel as well appreciated in the company as a whole. This may be largely because now I'm in my new team, there's not much scope for having your own project, as supposed to my first 3 months in the Test department. Recognition is usually given when you volunteer, internally. Although I have yet to see any external recognition. I am looking at entering the challenge cup when a team of employees come up with an idea that will improve customer experience - this is a good opportunity to gain exposure to senior managers.

On the whole, the programme is structured well. Once a week, apprentices got to university and the other day in the week we have a study day. We are free to choose which day is our study day. Not everyone has them on the same day. Effectively we only work three days a week. One thing I would say though is that in the time leading up to the exams - I think people will benefit from having extra study days to ensure they pass their exams. As I myself have resorted to taking annual leave in order to balance my studying with work.

There is an apprentice coach for every apprentice. They are responsible for keeping you on target for university and NVQ. Every so often the coach will meet up with us in groups to deliver a presentation on any new things we need to know about our study. They also act as a form of mentor who you can speak to about anything to do with your apprenticeship to make sure you are getting the right support. They are very welcoming and although my coach is based in another part of the country, I can send them a message or call them whenever.

BT have a rhetoric of supporting people, although sometimes it seems you can be pulled up on something wrong more often than being praised. It would be good to receive better recognition for work. Often I point out the work I do and then get praise for it. It is not very often that I get noticed for the work I do. I was highly praised on my excellent university grades. I have now been given a mentor who I can chat with about any problems I face in addition to my apprentice coach.

A couple of years before I joined, the starting salary was considerably higher. It has since been lowered, with us having to reach milestones to get a pay rise to the about that was entry rate before. Living costs are down to the individual and how well they can manage their own money. I have no issue with this. I live a while away from work so it is expensive to travel - but it is my decision to work here so I accept that. BT pay for travel expenses for work duties.

BT have a gym on site at a discounted rate, you are able to add friends and family onto this as well. BT actively encourage volunteering and allow you 3 days of volunteering on top of your annual leave, however this is usually flexible and many people volunteer a lot.

Yes

BT offer a good pay for a good job where you can learn new skills and gain an NVQ and degree along side working. You are able to see the company forma wide number of angles so you have an idea of what part of the company you would want to work in after the apprenticeship. In addition, BT offer a lot of opportunities such as visits to the BT Tower in London and lots of volunteering events.

It is important to apply early - this means you will have your interview sooner and have a better chance of getting the job. It is also important that you do some research into the company so you can integrate this into your application and explain why you want to work at BT. It's important to make your application stand out so avoid any clichés. At interview be sure to mention your research on BT and why you want to work here - managers will be impressed if you can relate BT news to the job role. Be sure to do some volunteering or paid work - it doesn't have to be in IT, but having previous skills in working can be transferred to BT.