Exchange Electronics Engineer Review

My job role within BT is an exchange electronic engineer, my daily tasks include fixing/maintaining the PSTN network, maintaining the broadband delivery system and providing new routes within BTs network, these are all switch related. I also carry out build work which includes the upgrading of older systems, installing new products within BT, providing new hydra connectivity within the internal network and programming changing over products during night time.

While being at BT I have learned lots of new skills and I have also developed my existing skills to become a more unified engineer. This has been achieved by attending courses externally and internally, attending college for 6 weeks and shadowing engineers. All of this has led to qualifications within the telecoms industry as well as helping me to develop my personal skills; I.E. communication, computer skills and my mental maths. The skills that I have learnt from doing this apprenticeship range from problem solving, managing time and computer communication to the more technical; converting binary, learning a computer language and developing my team working skills.

I am really enjoying the apprenticeship as I have gained so much from it; the work is interesting and different every day. The team and company culture are great as from day one they have made me feel a part of something larger; the support from the manager is outstanding and all of this has helped the apprenticeship meet my expectations and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Within BT I feel like a valued member of the team, this is because my manager gives me all the help and support I need; he encourages me learn more and more to improve my knowledge and share it my current skills within the team. The team also tell me how much they appreciate the help and what a valued member of the team I am. This along with the support and reviews from the manager make me feel like a valued member of the team and this helps me strive to be the best team member I can.

To begin with the apprenticeship didn't seem that well structured as the induction seemed to be more office based and didn't really explain a lot about the engineering side of BT. However my views changed as the weeks progressed as I met with my manager and received my training package and learnt more about my job role. After the first couple of weeks the programme picked up as I was meeting with my mentors, studying in college, doing training and starting to receive tasks. So overall the apprenticeship seemed to be a bit rushed and miss-organised but after the first couple of weeks it started to pick up and become more structured

The overall support I receive is amazing, I get this support from my apprenticeship tutor, my team, my manager and the surrounding teams. this all helps to provide me with guidance and general support needed within the company. There is plenty of support and guidance within the company either through the various support pages or by talking to one of the above mentioned; this gives the guidance needed and pushes me to be the best, which I enjoy.

If required I receive the necessary support needed from my manager, mentors, apprentice coach or HR. These can offer help with any problems externally as well as internally, there are multiple pages within the intranet which also offer the help and support if your manager or coach can't answer your questions. Overall BT offer lots of support and have a great attitude when it comes to supporting me.

Overall the salary isn't bad for being apprentice if you live at home with your parents or have a partner who helps to support the living costs. However, like myself I am supporting my partner and my child while trying to earn enough to keep up with living costs, which can be difficult at times. But so far each year BT has met the inflation rise and my manager offers me more work when possible as he knows my situation.

There are a number of opportunities to get involved outside of work, these are through company events like, visiting the BT tower or moving forward with your career and lots of volunteering opportunities. Most of these are emailed to employees so that the can fill a form out and be involved, however the volunteering can be found in a different portal within BTs intranet. Most of the volunteering events that BT personally run are found around main cities which makes it difficult for me as I am from Wales; However this doesn't stop me from doing an event myself and gaining the support from BT.

Yes

I would recommend BT to a friend as they are a great employer who offer and outstanding apprenticeship within many different areas. They have a good pay scale during the apprenticeship and once the apprenticeship is over, they offer lots of development opportunities to move your career forward, which helps keep you interested in the job and let you move around BT to work in a different area.

My main advice to others that are joining BT would be is to take your time to fill out the application form, make sure all the questions are answered and include what you will gain from the apprenticeship and what you will bring into BT skills wise. If you get past that stage and come to the interviews then just being yourself and be confident and be ready to give an explanation of the skills you have and how BT can use them.