Trainee engineer Review

I came into Openreach as a trainee engineer. My role within the company is a fibre jointer. Most of the work I have done has been on new build sites. I have done some pole work within this time as well as well as UG and overhead cabling. My day to day role as well as learning how to fulfil my potential as a fibre engineer is to provide commercial and residential premises fibre lines for their broadband. As well as being out on the field I am also studying in a classroom atleast once a month.

Coming into the Openreach business was a completely new start of life for me. Most of my previous experience was driving related. I have learnt a lot of new skills already such as how to provide fibre to and from the exchange to the customers house. Splicing fibre to fibre to connect the line. I have also introduced fibre cables into nodes and CBT's.

I am enjoying not only the field work but the classroom sessions as well. My NVQ assessor [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] is such a massive help towards me achieving my NVQ at the end of the 12 months. As for my field based work, every engineer or trainee who i have worked with have taught me something. I am very greatful to the engineers that have passed on their wealth of knowledge and have made the job fun and exciting to want to know more about.

The organisation that goes into the apprenticeship is a amazing. I know atleast a month in advance when my next NVQ session is which gives me time to prepare for it. My day to day working or buddying with people is a 4 week pattern and i get 1 weeks notice as to when it will change.

The support i receive from openreach is great. My manager is always emailing or phoning me to assess or ask how i am getting on and if i feel i might be struggling with anything or feel like i need extra help. I also have an end of year review with him to discuss things further.

My NVQ coach is very supportive and will assist me on anything im either not sure about or need help answering. He always tries to keep me on track even when i am rushing ahead of the rest of my group. Its good to feel that someone is there to assist me if i should ever need them.

I left my previous job as a bus driver not really knowing anything about the telecoms industry. All of the exciting stuff i have already done is driving me to succeed as an openreach engineer. All the help and support i have had from my colleagues and my manager has pushed me to perform to my best every day.

occasionally engineers are invited to attend union meetings or workshops within the business. as for socialising my team of around 20 are a very sociable bunch who often get together and go out for dinner or drinks. I have made some good friends who as people and a group will keep socialising together.

Yes

Not only is it a job for life but the workforce are amazing. Everyone helps everyone and the same goes for the support. The benefits you get from the company are second to none as well. All your tools and van are paid for. you get your own company van. very good salary even as an apprentice. Openreach really do exactly what it says on the tin.

Give it ago and don't hold back. They are a brilliant company to work for and every single day will be better and more fun than the last (except if it rains) Openreach have so much to offer anyone applying and probably don't make the job sound as good as it is.