Field Service Apprentice Review

I completed a service apprenticeship, the job involved initially shadowing a mentor and learning from him as he worked through his jobs and getting involved as your experience developed. The daily tasks included travelling around your local area installing and repairing Virgin Media TV, broadband and home phone services for residential customers.

Understanding of the technologies that deliver Virgin Media services to our customers. A number of industry specific qualifications in telecomms and customer service. Great opportunity to develop people skills and gain confidence.

Great company to work for and a great way to start your career. Shadowing an experienced engineer as well as classroom training sessions is a great way to learn how to do the job and be good at it.

You are recognised for doing a job well, there are a number of incentives for getting good feedback from customers for doing a good job and meeting their expectations. There are opportunities within the 12 month apprenticeship to see other areas of the business as well so you can understand how they all work in sync.

3 separate weeks of training and a number of exams at the end of these. You have QCF qualifications to complete submissions for and you get given study days to work on these and submit evidence of jobs you have completed yourself. Initially after shadowing a mentor you get your own van and tools and work at a reduced job quota so you can get used to the role and understand common faults etc. This quota increases incrementally over the 12 months.

Regular one to one meetings with both your apprentice manager and your local area manager to check your progress with your study and ensure you have an opportunity to ask questions about anything you feel unsure about.

Other technicians in your area are always willing to help if you are stuck on a fault, manager is also experienced in the service technician role so is able to assist with any problems you encounter. It's ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.

Great starting salary that increases upon completion of the apprenticeship. There are also some great benefits that come with a job at Virgin Media

A number of charity and volunteer events to raise money and help in the local community. Brathay apprentice challenge is a national competition we enter every year that anyone is welcome to get involved in.

Yes

Great company, great way to start off your career in telcomms

Be open and honest, be willing to work hard and adapt to new ideas or changes.