Access Planner Review

I am currently an access planner in the Bristol area. My role involves going out to new build sites and collaborately working with developers and other members of VM to design a duct layout to serve the new homes. It involves building new cabinets with the new equipment. Putting together job packs with drawn plans and schedules of works to get the job completed. I also deal with infils (any home that is already built and not on VM service). I plan it and then cost it against a budget. Most infils cost out as there are usually reasons why it wasn't built in the first place for example wayleave.

I have learnt may new skills as this apprentiship was a complete career change to what I had studies at University. I have gained a qualification in ICT and proffesional competences. I have developed my mathmatical skills, working with Ohms law and working out signal levels. I have gained more confidence when speaking to developers and feel more confident about my knowledge.

I enjoyed my time as an apprentice but felt there was alot of information they wanted us to learn in a short period of time. I felt it would have been much beneficial for the course to be tailored to certain aspects of the job, I.E.New build/Diversions, Business/Transmission As trying to learn all of it at once was very confusing.

I felt very valued by VM, we were included in to the team instantly.

The apprentiship was slow to begin as we didn't have a manager in place. Also some ride out days were not allowed as VM use contractors and they advised that their insurance didn't cover them to have us with them. Most of the training provided was well structured, but did find on the job training from experienced planners was more beneficial, as some of the training was presented by trainers who had never done the job and didn't know what we need to know and how to do it (I did feed this back into our training department)

Our training manager was very helpful but also pointed us in the right direction if he was unable to answer certain questions

VM provided support, we are currently going through a job role change which has made me reconsider the appropriateness of the apprentiship

The salary is and was very good from start to finish

VM offer different things there are sometimes cinema deals, Britains got talent tickets e.c.t

Yes

As I feel the pay for apprentiships are very good, it allows you to develop skills which can be easily transferrable in the telecoms industry

On assessments days present yourself well and be relaxed. Be prepared for any questions.