Network Engineer Apprentice Review

My role is responsible for undertaking approval, writing documenting, and trialing / discovering new methods and technology for transmission of data within our core networks. consulting with various teams and vendors. my role is responsible for doing this on both the fixed and radios access network. providing support and expertise to other areas of the business.

All the skills i have learnt over the course of this apprenticeship have been new to me, I started this apprenticeship coming from an electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering background, i have learnt new methods of working, reporting and developed skills of asking questions asking for help etc. i have been supported to learn new skills constantly.

I really enjoy my programme, i have been provided with all the tools and skills i need to thrive. i have been given the freedom to work with others within the organisation developing new skills and learning about the job roles of others and how the work i do benefits our customers. I have been given the opportunity to provide support and use my newly developed skills to benefit the team.

The programme is really well structured, the company provides the support needed and is able to give you exposure to different areas in order to develop. the programme is shaped around the apprentice and meeting the needs of them in order to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a valuable engineer.

I along with the other apprentices receive a lot of support form our employer. Nothing is too much to ask and there is always someone willing to take time out of there day to help, guidance and regular catch ups with different members of the team are set up so that we get the required level of support from all areas.

The training provider gives a lot of support. helping to not just achieve the qualifications and get through the course but to actually understand and be able to work independently, they are always on hand to support with anything needed not just in terms of the apprenticeship but they have teams in place and support is offered for things such as welfare and personal wellbeing.

I do believe that the qualifications help us to perform better un the sense that the training given to get the qualifications provides relevant skills that will be required in the role. As for the actual certification this also adds a lot of value in how we as apprentices going forward in our career will be viewed in the workplace not just with our employer but throughout the industry.

The opportunities for extra curricular events and activities is rather extensive, the company has lots of networks where we can meet new people and to socialise and connect with them. as well as professional networking events and socials in which we can meet colleagues, vendors and market leading experts in our industry this helps to build our personal brand and get our name into the industry, allowing for us to reach out and expand our knowledge.

Yes

As with any role the pay will come into it, Virgin Media pays above the majority of others and provides an extensive list of apprenticeships. But the main reason behind recommending Virgin media would be the personal and professional development i have been given opportunities that i could only dream of in terms of the qualifications and exposure as well as freedom, over the course of the apprenticeship so far.

Be yourself, and if you make a mistake along the process especially in the discovery centre days then highlight it, the likelihood is they have recognised the mistake its more how you respond and your straight talking, being brave and letting them know how you would approach this sort of thing in the future, they want to get to know YOU and how you behave rather than your knowledge, the can give you the skills and knowledge if you are willing to learn. The key message really is be straight up and yourself with the interviewer.