Cyber Security Apprentice Review

My day to day role stretches across the duties of three different roles that merge into one. These roles include being a network engineer, software engineer and business support body. Role can vary as and when different requirements are expected of me at the time. Duties can include, but not limited to, application management, coding and website development and critical application testing.

I have certainly developed my coding skills since starting the apprenticeship. This has come in handy for the application development side of my daily role. Since undertaking this apprenticeship, my interpersonal skills have also developed greatly, stemming from meeting and engaging with many new people in the telecommunications sector. I have gained many new skills in addition to my development, such as new coding languages such as, HTML and Javascript and CSS.

I do genuinely enjoy what I am doing day to day in the workplace. The work set for me is challenging in positive ways and is very rewarding when completed. I feel the program offered by BT is inclusive of all apprentices, no matter of ability at the start of the apprenticeship. It is always a friendly and welcoming environment to work in, which I fully embrace.

I feel valued by BT as both an employee and as a person. My colleagues and peers are always respectful and helpful regarding any issues and concerns that I may have. The business makes every effort to ensure my happiness in the workplace, by offering continual support whenever it is needed as they recognise the benefits to ensuring workers are feeling valued.

The apprenticeship program is well structured as what the program involves is clearly stated from the start. The organisation of the course, such as university term dates, has sometimes been quite confusing. Other apprentices have been confused with the organisation of this side of the course as well. Clear communication would potentially help resolve these issues.

Support from the university has been very good since starting the course at the turn of the New Year. Support in lectures has been good, with lecturers being friendly and helpful towards me and others. Communication outside of the classroom has also been very good, offering help on assignments and work set. The lecturers have also been very willing and eager to help with any issues that I feel need raising.

I cannot fault the support I receive from my employer. They offer continuous support to help manage my work and coursework balance, to ensure they and I get the best from myself. The employer is also very willing and able to deal with any issues and concerns that I may have myself. BT recognise the challenges that apprentices can face when undertaking their course, and they combat any worries that we may face.

The salary is generally a very generous package. The base level pay starts at a lower rate, with annual rises in line with targets and objectives being met. The pay package covers my living costs at the minute, and will continue to do so, providing my workplace performance continues to be sufficient. Through the course of the apprenticeship, living costs will well and truly be covered.

There are many opportunities and ways to get involved with outside of work. BT offer volunteering days to get involved with schemes and charity events, away from the workplace. There are also opportunities for team builds to occur, to help members of the team gel and bond more. These occasions happen on a fairly frequent basis, which is nice.

Yes

BT is a wide reaching and diverse organisation. If you brave enough to get in to the business, there are no limits as to where you can end up. No individual is stuck in one position or stifled in any way, they are encouraged to grow and experience new things within the business. BT consider its staff a valuable resource and they are treated accordingly.

My advice would be not to panic and be yourself through the application process. Do not worry about feeling like you haven’t got the relevant experience for the role you apply for. The business would rather recruit someone that can learn and be moulded into the role. A final piece of advice is to care and commit to the reasons why you are applying to BT as they can detect the passion and drive you have for the role you have applied for.