Fibre Engineer Review

I am a fibre cabler/splicer. This consists of me rodding sections of duct and making sure a rope is put in. We then come along and cable each section with fibre. Once the fibre is in the ground I splice the fibres together before the product can then be tested and commissioned for sale. I pick up a job each morning when signing on, and drive my work van to site. I have also blown fibre.

I have learnt lots of new skills. These are working with Fibre (fibre splicing and cabling) I have also learnt how to blow fibre using a blowing machine and to also recover fibre. From my NVQ for my apprenticeship, I also learnt a lot of new techniques and methods from using Microsoft office which helps me with my daily job also. I have developed skills working with others as well as on my own innitiative.

I have enjoyed the apprenticeship programme as I think it has really flown in and I've learnt a lot of new skills to carry out my job. I was given the training first of all required to do the job and then sent out on the field with a buddy to learn the job. Once I felt confident I was able to go out on my own and carry out the work required to complete jobs correctly.

I think the programme could have been slightly better organised but with Covid 19 I feel this may have been why it wasn't. I feel I would have had it completed a lot sooner had we been given the units when we started but I still managed to complete the NVQ before the 18 month end date which I was pleased about. I felt that using workplace helped as we had to work from home with Covid 19.

As an apprentice I always felt I could ask for support from my employer, whether this was my manager, buddy, coach, clerk of works or any other colleagues as most of these people entered the business in the same way as an apprentice at some point. We also have some very useful documents, sites etc within the company for support as well as having people who can listen to you if needs be. All in all the support is good.

The support I received was good. If i was stuck on a question in any of my units, my assessor was able to give me the right guidance to complete that question. I was always told I was doing well which also gave me a boost to keep going. If there were any NVQ days that didn't suit me or If I had an appointment or was off on leave it was never a problem to have that day rearranged.

As I said previously, there was a lot of useful things I can take from my NVQ to help me in my job in future. From using all of the Microsoft office applications, this helps me on a daily basis. I also learnt processes, health and safety legislations, how to carry out certain parts of my job. I now know what Openreachs vision is for the future and I know how I can help do this.

With Covid 19 at the moment, activities have been put to one side. But on the other side of Covid 19, I know that there are activities such as the tug of war been ourselves and the contractors, days at the races, tickets to see the Ulster Rugby team win with the rest of your colleagues and indeed Christmas nights outs. If you can build a good relationship with your colleagues, nights out can become quite regular.

Yes

I think it's a great company to work for. The money is good, the people are good and the craic is good.

Dont worry about the length of the apprenticeship - it flys in. The money isn't great for 18 months but once you are confident in working on your own, there is plenty of overtime to get your pay up each month. The hours are great, the staff are great and there are also some great perks and holidays. Do your research before an interview and ask others who you know already work in the company for tips.