21C Ethernet and Core Capacity Integration Team Member Review

I work within the Joint Integration Team and my daily tasks include logging into the group phone to answer calls from engineers who are on site at exchanges, these are our internal 'customers'. The engineers call to install new equipment or connect circuits, I have to check the new equipment or circuit and test before the engineer can sign off the job. My daily interactions with external customers involve working with openreach on OGHP circuits. After engineers have plugged up the equipment on site we get a job to configure the circuit - these are called GEA's. If the circuit is not showing as up/up on the router then I have to call openreach and confirm if the circuit is up on their end. For this particular project I am the team lead and first point of call if anyone has any issues with the GEAs.

From having to deal with external customers I have learnt how to communicate in a formal manner both over the phone and through e-mail. In the first year of my apprenticeship I completed a BTEC Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles and another unit where I learnt about the old vs new telephone system and how BT has evolved over the years. Throughout the full duration of my apprenticeship I have been completing NVQ qualification with various units such as technical advice and guidance, technical fault diagnosis and working with ICT hardware & equipment.

I really enjoy working within my apprenticeship, my team is incredibly supportive and helpful which has always made me feel at ease even when I have had issues. The work I complete day-to-day is varied and that is what I enjoy - no two days are the same and this keeps it interesting.

In my monthly 1 to 1's I am always receiving constant good feedback and praise on my work ethic. In BT we are all enrolled in a rewards system based on e-cards - we can send them to anyone in the company and we put one of the values (personal, simple or brilliant) in the header, it is the one we feel best fits why we are sending the e-card. When an employee received 5 e-cards their manager can apply to send them a £25 reward card. During my time at BT I have had 3 of these rewards from e-cards from colleagues and engineers that have thanked me for my help.

There is a clear structure to the programme, at the beginning we have a week induction with apprentices from all around the country where we are spoken to about BT and how our apprenticeship will run - it is also a time to get to know the other apprentices that are starting. I have two types of qualification that I complete during my programme - college which is completed on week blocks at Stoke College every fortnight. I was put together with apprentices from around the UK which gave me a chance to get to know others job roles and talk about how we are getting on. The second type of qualification that I complete during my apprenticeship is my NVQ work - this work is assessed by my apprentice coach, I am expected to meet certain milestones of completion every few months.

I receive constant feedback and assistance from my apprentice coach and every couple of weeks I have a dedicated NVQ session day where I can work on my NVQ and get assistance on any questions I may have. I feel well supported by my apprentice coach as we have good communication on my work and I receive lots of feedback on what I complete.

My manager is extremely supportive and in my monthly 1 to 1 meetings we talk about my progress, what I have been working on and what I would like to work on. There is good accessibility to any support I may need from my employer - especially with the employee assistance programme which are available all the time for a variety of problems.

Compared to other apprenticeships I have looked at working at the same level the starting salary cost is lower. The salary progression is helpful - every year in October I receive a £3,000 increase providing that I have met my academic milestones throughout the year. My travel costs have recently decreased as we have moved offices and the building is now closer to home, which makes the journey a lot more pleasant.

There are constant volunteering opportunities being sent via e-mail which we can attend if we choose to. I volunteered a careers fair at the London excel where IU spoke with students in their GCSE year at school about my experiences through my apprenticeship.

Yes

The support received, the qualifications gained and the friendly team atmosphere are all reasons why I would recommend BT to a friend.

The application process is simple and the interview is in a friendly environment, be yourself and keep calm. The assessment days are a chance to get to know BT apprenticeships and demonstrate why you should be picked - as long as you read through the preparation material there is nothing to worry about.