Advanced Apprentice, Network Engineering SD Review

My role is Advanced Apprentice, Network Engineering in Openreach service delivery. This involves provision and repair of the copper telephone lines. I also connect people and fault find on a range of broadband services.Each Every day is different one minute I could be outside climbing a telegraph pole to fix a fault the next day I might be Installing a new telephone line to a residential customer.

I have gained qualifications and undergone many training courses. I have built self confidence and developed skills from dealing with customers to physical understanding of the complex fault diagnosis equipment. I particularly like the way that you gain skills as you go along so you get time to really understand one area of work before you move onto a different skill. I am now a multi skilled engineer.

I have enjoyed working alongside more experienced engineers in order to improve my skills. I enjoy being a part of a team, as well as the individual challenge of each task. I feel a lot of the work we produce for the nvq is very boring and repetitive and would have liked more time spent understanding other areas of the business.

I feel that BT have invested in me financially very well. From the equipment they have provided me to the training courses they have given me. However, due to the size of the company I sometimes feel like a number not a person. This is mainly down to how we are measure on stats.

From my initial Induction things have gone very well. BT are a well oiled machine when it comes to recruitment and training. It was clear an awful lot of background work had been done prior to my employment. Which sets a high bar for other employers, having all the in house training facilities is a real advantage.

My tutor has given me a great deal of support and always gets back to me if I have any issues or questions. I get feedback on the work I have completed and we have regular face to face review and over the phone reviews. My tutor has given me the confidence in order for me to set my own goals and drive my apprenticeship forwards.

I am given all the support I need from coach on demand through to being able to call other members of my team if I am struggling with a task. Sometimes the process of getting through to someone can be time consuming in a roll where we are being constantly measured on time. This is often frustrating.

BT offer very good salary compared with many apprentice providers and I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity. I feel that may pay is reviewed regularly. My only grievance is the park at home agreement which I feel we are all tricked into at the start of the apprenticeship.

Outside of work I have a very busy life, a young family to raise and with canoe club, Scouts and various other club commitments and don't mix socially with my colleagues due to lack of time on my part. However I do appreciate that the company supports and recognise all of the volunteering work I do.

Yes

I Think BT are an excellent company to work for. They offer good qualifications and training. They also offer a great work/life balance. They have great career opportunities and support you to be the best you can be. You are provided with everything you need in order to succeed in you choice of career.

I would like to have been told that once you have signed the park at home agreement it is very difficult to get out of. You will end up giving up to an hour morning and night to travel to and from your first job. Also you have to keep the van at home taking up your parking space.