smart metering expert Review

the day to day job is exchanging customers electric and gas meters to Smart Meters

I have had to learn an electrical, and gas background for this role

I thoroughly enjoy this programme although it is very demanding on the extent of the knowledge you need to learn in the short time you are in training

I feel valued to an extent however there is a mass pressure to hit targets, whilst continuing to work safely and efficiently. Sometimes the targets are pushed to the extent it can make a person compromise safety in order to reach them

I don't feel the program is structured well at all. The training period is only 19 weeks with a further 6 weeks monitoring, after this you are on patch yourself. The amount of knowledge you must learn in this small amount of time is sometimes overwhelming and having to apply this daily and continue to work safely and reach targets can amount to certain levels of stress. This is classified as a 1 year apprenticeship however you are outwith training for 6 months. In my opinion the training and monitoring should be covered over the course of the whole year and not 6 months.

The training received is of a high standard, but the length of this is far to short. It does not allow the trainer to cover a subject for more than 1 powerpoint. More time should be allowed to ensure all apprentices fully understand the information and training received is understood

There is support available as it is only a phone call away but again I feel the apprentices should be on patch with mentors for a much greater time than is allocated

The salary is fair but, in comparison to competitors it is still an underpaid job by about £3/4000 annually

There is plenty opportunities for extra work

Yes

It is a reputable company, the training is of a high standard and work is guarenteed however again british gas's down fall is the length of the actual training. They are so concerned with hitting targets that training is jeopardised to ensure the agent is out working themselves as soon as possible. It is a job that can put peoples lives at risk and a lot of extra knowledge comes with experience, but you are so quick to be out working by yourself its hard.

Be prepared for information overload, if you are coming from a background which has nothing to do with your chosen apprenticeship you must be prepared to focus and learn. there is no room for mistakes or error