Telecoms engineer Review

I am a service and install access field entry level technician for Virgin Media which is just a posh way of saying I service and install products for Virgin, my daily tasks are to get to my first job for 8.00am, and continue with the route supplied via my pda, I next to manage my time according to make sure I can visit all of my appointments, and fix the services for the customers, or install new products and give demos to ensure the customer knows what to do when we're not there. On a day to day basis typically i will complete around 14 service calls, or if I get some installs the quota will change slightly, I responsible for the customer interaction such as calling ahead, and general talk when I arrive, every now and again when a problem can not be fixed by myself, it may be passed onto another department so it's my job to ensure that I have done everything I can, and spoke to the right person to get the job done.

I have development a good knowledge of the telecommunications industry, and have been awarded an nvq level 2 for my efforts, most of the training is internal, with an exception being the street works course undertaken, which teaches how to park safely, and what the different signs mean and setting up a safe working area.

I enjoy parts of my day obviously with the work load we get given there is always a certain amount of pressure as with any customer facing role, you want to get all the jobs done and get home at a reasonable time, but also fix the problem for the customer to make them happy and in turn get a bonus, Virgin employ a great bunch of people, friendly and have a good sense of humour. When I applied for the role I didn't know exactly what to expect other then a secure monthly wage, but now I am in the job I know what to expect on a daily basis, Virgin definitely deliverd on my expectations of a solid monthly wage. I enjoyed my training programme with the travelling it consisted of and the staying away and the rental cars, meeting new people, training and getting paid in the meantime.

On a daily basis there is no real way to feel appreciated, but when you go the extra mile and your manager notices it you are thanked or rewarded in some way, usually, I can't say I have been recognised externally other then the qualification I recieved, we as technicians are involved in most projects with trialling new equipment and procedures. I feel I am valued by the team as the work I do can make the teams statisics better.

I believe it was structed rather well everything ran rather smoothly, the training, induction went well, I couldn't recieve to much support as I felt I had a lot of people to answer to and struggled to know who to turn to imediately, studying was at my own obligation to make sure the work that was needed was done on time, but when set study days were allocated it made it easier to complete, I had several support meetings with the apprentice manager and also the support manager, to check on progress and decide on further improvements which helped, the tasks were all the same, but it took a while for me to know exactly what was expected of me for example what equipment needed swapping indefinitely, for example old isolators. The hierarchy is not to important to me aslong as I know who to turn to for immediate advice, and if they can relay message up the chain I was happy enough. The programme all in all was organised what with moving up quota slowly taking on your own jobs and progressing to a full route.

I still recieve some support from my managers for jobs that may need extra time, and also for monthly reviews to talk about what was good and bad and how to improve upon the previous month. The support is mostly only a phone call away, the problems can sometimes be guided over the phone or will be passed up the chain, generally the managers getting a bonus for our performance so they try to support us wherever possible most of the time.

I don't require much support from anyone now really, other then sometimes taking the odd job off me when I have fallen behind due to a bigger then expected job, which sometimes they are happy to do and if not sometimes overtime is offered to help me complete the route.

The wage generally is pretty good the travelling costs are paid for, with the van, fuel and maintence, I am able to afford to live and still socialise with the wage I am on.

They're are not many oppurtunies outside of work, every now and then there is an event hosted by the company, for example Christmas parties and some social events.

Yes

Virgin Media do spend money on corporate events and things to try and make the employee feel welcome, and up moral, the wage is reasonable and most of the people are polite, friendly, easy to talk to and supportive.

The best advice is to be polite, friendly and have the right attitude, a working attitude, dress reasonably and come prepared for your interviews and assessments, after all Virgin Media will soon let you free to represent the company, and if you can't represent yourself in a good way, you definitely won't represent Virgin Media well. I have liked to be told the different processes once out in the field alone, for example calling your manager when running behind, or faced with different scenarios.