Business Support Review

On a day to day basis I am responsible for carrying out various tasks including configuration of circuits, conformance checks on new circuits and circuit ceases. BT is a telecommunications company and therefore all of the aforementioned tasks are related to networks in some way. My job role would be classed as 'Business Support'. I work very closely with one member from my team, who is my mentor and he was imperative in introducing me to the different systems and applications I have to use within my job role. My team is based across the UK as there are some members working in Bristol, Cambridge and other parts of London. I often communicate with my members from Bristol, as me and my mentor are currently learning how to perform various tasks (that I mentioned above) for a new system.

Although I haven't undertaken any individual courses, I have learnt many new skills. I and my mentor went on an online training course to learn about a new product and system; this course gave us the opportunity to use the new system whilst having the aid of a tutor constantly available. It also helped that the course only involved a small number of people. I have also gone to many sites to gain a better understanding of the work I do and how what I perform on the computer is carried out in reality.

I thoroughly enjoy working at BT and I have found it extremely enlightening thus far. I will be honest, it was difficult to begin with as I had to adapt to the work lifestyle; waking up earlier than usual and commuting by train did not help me either :) However, my manager and team made the process a lot easier for me as they were (and still are) very helpful and supportive. At my location, I am around people a bit older than me and I have honestly not even noticed the age gap. However, I would have liked to be around more people from my age group as I feel I would be more comfortable then. Overall, I am looking forward to continue my relationship with BT and in reality, I didn't really come in with any expectations for how it was going to be; I just wanted to let things happen by themselves.

I do feel valued, not only as an apprentice, but also as a team member. My apprentice colleague (only other apprentice in the building) and I were given a special project to complete; this not only tested our ability but also gave us a new experience as we had the responsibility of carrying out and completing a project by ourselves. The project involved gathering information by talking to various managers within our sector in BT. Since then, we have not been given any special projects but we are more involved with tasks our fellow team members undertake. I have had a 1 to 1 with my manager regarding my experience in BT thus far and my performance. This gave me an opportunity to see where I am at and also what I could do in the future. During this 1 to 1, my manager did praise my work ethic and how quickly I'm picking up the work; my team members have also praised me for my conduct and drive to get things done within a given time constraint.

I feel my programme has generally been organised in a very orderly manner, but there are some areas where it could be improved. Initially, my manager had made a training plan for that was to last from October to January at least. We were unsure about when university would begin so that did not necessarily help us come with a plan. I completed most of the training plan but there wasn't a lot on there after about January (this was when university started). However, after January I had started to do more work by myself and I also started working more closely with my mentor; we went to Bristol to gain first hand tutorial for a new system we were learning together. In terms of the induction, I had to do a lot of mandatory training and I also got a brief insight to the different parts of my team from my manager; my team members also gave me a further insight into the work they do, but I still have not been to one part of my team. Overall, it was pretty well organised but in the future, we could potentially give the apprentices more things to do and more flexibility to move around.

I have an apprentice coach/manager, whom I have had one call with. I haven't had much of a interaction with him regarding my experience but I don't feel that I have necessarily needed to specifically go to him for any questions; my manager has been absolutely brilliant in that regard. In terms of my university, I have communicated to a representative/lecturer quite often via e-mail. I don't feel I have needed much support thus far but I know that if I needed it, I do have my manager, my apprentice coach (whom I can contact whenever) and my university representative/lecturer.

The support I have received from my manager and mentor since I started my apprenticeship has been amazing. They have been readily available whenever I have needed them and I have had plenty of questions, especially for my manager. I have talked to him over Skype (whether it be IM or a call) and it is a very effective method and a seamless process. I cannot overstate how brilliant my manager and mentor have been to me.

I am very satisfied with my salary as it also includes a London allowance to pay for my travel costs. My salary allows me to comfortably deal with normal living costs and social costs. I do have enough money to save up as well as spend quite freely through the month. I find it imperative to prepare for the future and through my salary, I am able to pay for my pension already; I find this incredible as I am getting a head start on securing a better future for myself.

There are many opportunities to volunteer outside work and I get e-mails every week about new opportunities to attend an event; the events usually involve workshops or fairs where you would talk to students about your experience as an apprentice. My manager also alerts me if there are any company events going on in London that I could go to. Outside work, I have signed up for the gym so that I can keep fit; my role involves a lot of sitting and therefore my manager encouraged me to keep fit by joining a gym or doing some form of exercise. Before work, I used to play football for my school and I also used to play for a football team. Although this may not be feasible, if there were BT football teams that played against one another internally, I would find that amazing. If it isn't football, it could be any sport. We could potentially even have BT versus other companies in the UK.

Yes

BT is one of the biggest companies in the world and they are also very accommodating; they make the transition from school life to work life seem effortless and everyone at BT are ready to provide support whenever you need it. However, even if you put aside BT's grand reputation, you could join them because they are a company that provide opportunities for you to move around as there are so many roles that could suit you.

The application process is usually nerve-wracking but BT make it easy for you. The initial application only asks questions about you and what makes you suitable for the role; BT are looking for someone to help lead the way in the future so all you have to do is be honest and talk about yourself and mention why you would be an asset to BT. The assessment centre and interview are intertwined and I prefer that; you can prepare for everything in one go and you don't have to lengthen the process. There will always be someone to help you and all of the managers are extremely supportive and understand that this is huge; therefore they will never make you feel uncomfortable and if you needed some time for yourself, you can just ask. You just have to go in there and be yourself; that way you will have no problems at all :)