Delivery Apprentice Review

On a daily basis, I react to faults that are in the live network. I have done this across a variety of teams this provides a sense of variety and there is always something new to learn. I answer phone calls and talk to customers, before sending out an engineer where appropriate. I also diagnose faults via CLI and internal systems. It is really rewarding to know you are making a difference to real customers.

I have learnt how to diagnose faults using CLI and my confidence with answering the phone has improved a lot. Before starting this apprenticeship, I was not very confident with answering calls or talking to customers, but now I am a lot more confident. Alongside the university programme, I have also developed skills with physical network equipment and software skills - mostly with Java. It is a diverse programme that has helped me to broaden my skillset.

For the most part I enjoy my programme and the flexibility it offers. There are times however where business requirement forces me to do a role that is outside of my comfort zone and this is a shame. It makes apprentices feel undervalued and unappreciated. However, the opportunity to go to external departments and network with a variety of people brings with it a range of career prospects to consider once the apprenticeship programme has been completed.

Regular rotations to other departments provide a sense of variety but these can be dropped if the business has an urgent requirement. So it can be unsetlling when you are trying to develop a range of skills. The university programme is also questionable becuase this is delivered externally. There is therefore not much communication between the company and the university and this can lead to crossed wires on some occasions. We have a personal mentor who strings everything together though and this does help.

My mentor provides support where required and has helped with a lot of aspects of apprenticeship, studying and personal issues. However, the support received beyond this is minimal. Issues I have raised within the company have often been ignored or not raised further when required. Apprentices are often left on departments with little to no communication with respective managers and this is a shame. I feel like the respect for apprentices on the whole is not great.

Training provider support is very good and they have helped us with numerous aspects of the apprenticeship. This has been highly beneficial and helped me through my apprenticeship. I have been made aware of what is required to complete my apprenticeship and have received support on how to complete it. Any questions I have had have been answered briskly and comprehensively. Representatives have also assisted with this by addressing our issues with university related study.

I feel like the two go hand in hand. My studies support my roles within my apprenticeship and my roles assist with my studies. Both are varied and offer plenty of background on technology as a whole. Modules at uni have dealth with diagnosing faults via CLI, security and VOIP. We have also done modules in software development, which has broadened our horizons a little and helped improve our overall career prospects. Depsite the lack of support from university, the programme has helped with our day to day roles.

We have had a chance to get involved with volunterring events both on-site and externally. On-site, we have had the chance to help out with school events, teaching schools how to code and appreciate careers in technology. Outside events have enabled us to give back to the local community by helping charities. We have also had chances to attend events delivered on site from external providers. There have also been events hosted by superior management within BT, which helps create an open and honest environment.

Yes

I think the apprenticeship at BT offers plenty of opportunities and most importantly you get paid a proper wage throughout it. Rather than coming in on an apprentice wage, you get paid a full wage which goes up every year if you meet targets and pass all the modules of the university qualification. There are also chances to develop internally, with opportunities to obtain qualifications. Additionally, with BT being such a large company, there are opportunities to go into other departments in future.

Make the most of every rotation and go outside of your comfort zone. This is a unique opportunity to broaden horizons and gain a range of skills. The more rotations you can obtain, the higher the chance will be that you can get the career you want at the end of your programme. Be prepared to work hard but reap great rewards. The more you put in - work and volunteering - the more you will get out.