Vehicle Technician Review

As a vehicle technician at BT, you are charged with anything that comes through then door. For example you could be servicing a BMW M-sport and the next fixing a hydraulic system on a HGV. Every day is a different day and there work is varied. Our my main focus is to keep not only the BT/ Openreach Fleets running but also a wide range of other external customers. A typical day would be doing services on vehicles, repair work, diagnostics as well as doing walk ins, which could be anything from break downs and damage reports. No day is the same.

With BT, you gain not only Level 2 but Level 3 and higher. If you want to achieve then they will put you through. You gain recognised qualifications such as IMI awards as well as put you through training such as air conditioning to electrical diagnostics. As well as this, they can put you through your HGV license and trailer training if needed. Everyday I am learning new things and the experienced staff are always willing to share their experiences. For example removing a seized a bolt using a blow torch to get it red hot and then dunking it in cold water. The rapid expansion of the metal will break corrosion to free it without damaging it. As well as this, after completing this apprenticeship, I would have quite a resume under my belt.

BT provide a very structured learning plan where most of your learning is at your place of work. With this in mind I thoroughly enjoy it. As well as this we are on college release which lasts two weeks with all food, travel and accommodation paid for. You get the university experience without the debt. You get to meet up with all the other apprentices from around the country and put all that we have learned into the classroom. We have all become very good friends and really enjoy going on college release. Everybody helps each other even when we are back at our home garages. We have kept in touch through social media and the use of BT internal email system. This by far has exceeded my expectations of what I thought the apprenticeship would be.

There is one thing that I have learnt about BT, and that is that they value their employees. They have really invested a lot in our training and drive us to become the best we can. With this they offer a brilliant package from day one. For example we are automatically enrolled in their superb pension scheme, free BT broadband and BT TV as well as many other perks which are far to many to list. As well as this, they make sure that we are all happy and have appraisals in one to ones. From day one, I have felt that I am appreciated and have become an integral part of the team. I am in constant communications to the management and feel that I am part of something great.

From day one we had a 2 day induction event to get us settled in where all expenses were paid. This gave us an insight into the business and what we would be expected to do. As well as this we had other events where we met senior management team and showed how everything works. Training is done on the job and then studied further in the class room during our college release. Every step of the way we are supported to achieve. We are assigned to mentors where we work and learn side by side. We study through online portfolios, building evidence throughout our apprenticeship. College representatives come out to assess and mentor us at our places of work and give us targets to aim for. Everything is planned throughout our time as an apprentice and we know when and where we need to be going as well as what is expected of us.

Support from our training provider is very good. I can contact them either by phone or email. As well as this, they come out to us at work to assess and tutor us. I feel that they want us to achieve and have done everything to get us there. Any problems can be sorted out very quickly and communications with them is very good.

Support from BT is the best thing about this apprenticeship. Our mentors are integral part of our learning journey and support us throughout our time was an apprentice. As well as this, management strive to support us and gives us everything we need to succeed. This could be setting extra external training to providing important information. Everyone are easy to get to and can be either a phone call away to sending emails. Everyone can be found using BT's internal email system.

One of the many factors that attracted me was the salary. Not only the starting salary but the salary when you qualify. It was of the most competitive packages available. As well as this, any expenses are paid for. Travel to and from college, food and accommodation are all paid for. All training is paid for and one thing that is very appealing is that they can put you through your HGV license as well as trailer training if needed. You don't need to spend a penny. You get your very own fully equipped roller cab tool box, all your uniform and PPE. You will get enrolled automatically to their excellent pension scheme which is one of the best around, free broad band and BT TV. As well as this there are so many perks for you to choose from which can be accessed nearly straight away.

There are quite a few company events throughout the year to attend. chances to go to the BT tower in London, Aquarius where our HQ are based. As well as this we can go on a 3 day paid volunteering, outward bound events and charity fund raisers. One notable fund raising event set up by BT was a bike ride from Lands End to John O Groats.

Yes

Excellent salary, perks, and training. Excellent opportunities within the company for you to go further.

One thing I can give advice on which may be beneficial to others applying for BT is to be yourself. After passing the initial online assessment, you have to go through a online video interview where you don't actually speak to anyone but you are recorded. I just pretended I was speaking to someone on the screen. Same worth assessment days, be yourself, they are human too! As with everything you want in life, put 100% into everything and you should be fine.