Networks Apprentice Review

We monitor alarms for the UK core network. Making sure that the BT internet services are always connected. We work with other team members to talk to engineers and fault and repair the network to keep people connected. We work in a 24 hr management centre, and have on the job training.

Yes i have learnt many new skills which i didn't know before starting at BT. I have learnt all about how the network works and types of cards, interfaces, SFP's, programs and acronyms. I have developed my team working skills more than I expected to and learn new things at university.

Majority of the time I enjoy my program, I do feel that communication between the apprentice administrator who make decisions and communicate with the university could be much better as they don't seem to make active change. But the people I see day to day are very helpful and make me enjoy it.

I go to university for one day a week as day release where i have two lectures a week. I then have one full study day to revise and complete my assignments. Then the other three days of the week I work along side the normal team supporting them to the best of my ability.

My employer supports me adequately, they support me in my primary job role working along the team, they supply with all the tools needed and they also supply me with knowledge training. As mentioned in other questions they also give me a long study day to revise for uni work. Just the communication between my day to day role and uni day isn't very well blended.

The university isn't great at support. the lectures do release the learning material a week before so we can pre-learn about topic ready or the lecture and the lectures are very supportive via email but as mentioned before the blend between work and study isn't great but on their own they are very good.

I don't feel like the training is that relational to the day to day work. It focuses on the basics of computing and telecommunications. Which is required to understand the more complex subjects it's just not very applicable and as it's the basics it's all technology from 30 years ago.

There is a plethera of extra things you can do at BT. We get 3 days of volunteering to use per year which is high encouraged. We help out hiring more apprentices, we help out the local community. there is also a large amount of professional events you can apply to attend.

Yes

I think it's a very accepting place, the pay is very good and the brand has a large amount of credibility. It's a fun place to work and they are very open to fixing any issues we have. All of the issues i have mentioned they are actively trying to fix.

The application process can be hard. Focus on team working skills and your drive to want to improve and learn. Furthermore, attend one of the work experience days so you can pick the correct area you want to work in as they are quite different and each have different skills to learn.