Trainee Engineer Review

Maintaining and Installing the Openreach network using the skills taught by Openreach. This includes installed fibre cables under ground and overhead on telegraph poles and in Footway box's in the street. This also includes installing cabling in customers properties connecting them to the fibre network. these tasks are carried out in line with Openreach's safety policies and techniques.

I have learnt how to run cables correctly underground and over head as well as being able to set up and configure the Openreach fibre service using dedicated tools such as a fibre splicer. I have completed many courses such as underground cabling, climbing telegraph poles and working/cabling at heights.

I enjoy my programme a lot. The initial skills training was brilliant and you really learnt a lot. The buddying experience was brilliant and a great way to learn from an experienced engineer which made a difficult role more enjoyable to the buddy would put you at ease whilst on a job.

the programme is organised very well. there is a large training and learning team who are always available to speak to. you get your own learning manager who takes you through everything through the programme. You are also given the time to do the work and not hassled by your own day to day manager as they know it is required as part of the programme.

There is so much support from my employer. There are so many teams and groups you can contact whether that be HR, welfare Or even forums such as Workplace where other engineers or staff can reach out for advice or help. Everything is available to me as a trainee but also as a staff memeber.

You receive a lot of support from the provider. You have workshops throughout the year to help and guide you through the programme and someone is always available to help. Everyone is always keen to help as they know its a complex role with a lot to learn so there is an abundance of patience.

Being taught the correct methods and the safest way really does help when doing the role day to day. Of course you pick up tips and techniques along the way from other more experienced engineers but it always using the core skills taught during this qualification. I would certainly say I have learnt so much already.

Yes there are lots of events and groups available. I think at the moment that has been a little challenging with covid but there are always emails and posts about certain events. even the use of workplace brings a lot of people together as the role itself means you could be on your own a lot but having access to others means there is always colleague engagement

Yes

i would certainly recommend Openreach to a friend. The training is brilliant and designed to teach you everything from scratch regardless of your previous work background. The benefits of working for a large company that want to look after their staff and clear to see and I already feel like i will be here for a long time.

Be patient. The process does take a little while but its worth it. Listen to everything, and ask as any questions as you need to. There are so many roles within Openreach so be sure to find out what role it is you are being employed for as the career pathways are different.