Full Degree Apprentice Review

Day to Day i work in the software development team within BTTV. There are usual meetings on all the tasks due for the fortnightly schedule. Currently i am working on my own project in developing a HTML code for the team to evaluate and schedule what projects each member is working on. I also work closely with the environments team and they are training me on Linux so that i can expand my knowledge.

Within my role i have learnt many different skills starting from the basics of testing the software on set top boxes to learning Java script, Python, HTML, PHP and many more. Working within TV is a great place to expand your knowledge in all sorts of different areas including software and networks skills.

I enjoy the programme very much as instead of having set days for set things we do for example, study day, uni and projects, we get taken more seriously and can manage our time how we like. Having uni on block releases and managing our study days suited to what reports and projects we have on. I never really had any expectations when joining the team as I've never worked within this type of environment before but its become to be fun andp professional at the same time without feeling like a dead end 9-5 job. I enjoy every minute of it.

The meetings i have with my manager on my progression i have throughout my apprenticeship are very rewarding and personal because he takes real care in hoping I'm happy and leaving the best i can with what i am currently doing. He makes me feel that i am not just an apprentice but an actual member of the whole team in general, that goes to all the employees in BT TV as well.

As me and my fellow apprentices were the first to study on the full degree apprenticeship, i feel there could have been better organisation for us. In the induction there was little if any information for us during that week, only an afternoon with a BTTV member to discuss it all, while the whole week was based around the higher apprenticeships. Again when having round table reviews with the apprenticeship team and all focused upon the higher apprentices as well. Including pay, they don't even know what our final pay or the fourth year of our apprenticeship will be? just needs more organisation and structure into what we would like to know and how to find it all out.

I've never really had a main trainer if that makes sense. For the team we all help each other and train others in the needed areas that we specialize in. The apprenticeship team was never really there for any help in training and it was all down to the employees of BTTV to step in and help out, but they were all so helpful and willing to spend time with us. My manager as well has given me all the training i needed to start with for online courses but nothing with project work related, but thats because he works in a different team to which ive rotated in.

Again the support i received from my manager was very helpful and he spend a lot of time with me to make sure im up to date with training and gave me good guidance in what i should be working towards and maintaining a balanced workflow and uni flow. The HR system is really no help to me, there are so many different links and processes that take too long to step out of the working day to do.

My salary is very good considering i achieve an NVQ qualification, A full Honors degree, all through the cost of BT, And still a very competitive wage as well. My wage covers well considering i still live at home with my parents, can afford 4/5 holidays a year, full from Stowmarket to Ipswich daily, saving a fair amount for my own house monthly and also going out most weekends and socializing with my friends. The wage is good for someone affording all this at the age of 20.

There are loads of opportunities. TV have around two all hands events where they get all the team together from Belfast, London and Ipswich and all celebrate the work and effort we have all put in together. Many different teams have socials as well.Curry nights, Poker nights, Go-karting, Drinks and christmas parties. You make friends for life here so theres so much you can do. Also the gym on site it welcoming and helpful with many different sports clubs on lunchtimes and evenings. Many different voluntary work to help out with as many emails go around asking for help, there are loads of different events for anyones interests.

Yes

Everything within BT is great.The pay is amazing considering I'm still getting a full degree out of this being covered by the company. The networking within the company is smooth and everyone is so friendly, you wouldn't got a day without someone putting a smile on your face. I would not ever consider me in this role but now i am i never want to leave. There are so many different departments that you can easily transfer to if you are unhappy in a certain area so the possibilities are endless here.

Make sure you be yourself and show how much you are willing to learn. It not all about what you know and the skills you show off now, its about wanting to be part of a growing and fast moving team and collaborate with a lot of different people. Try not to be too nervous but its hard not to be. The people interviewing you are regular people as well, just speak to them how you normally would but still in a professional manner.