Service and Repair Engineer Review

I am a service and repair engineer for British Gas. I go along to customer houses to carry out maintenance to all gas appliances to ensure they are working safely. As well as this I also, where applicable complete fault finding to fix any broken gas appliances. The job role includes installation of hive products as well as providing safety and efficiency advice.

I have learnt many skills during my first two years at British Gas. Not only am I now Gas Safe (corgi registered), I have the ability to use various tools to carry out my day to day tasks having never been hands on before. This role has enabled me to develop my customer service skills as well as gain knowledge in an area I knew nothing about before. I am now able to work in a methodical manner and have an understanding in both Gas and electric environment.

I feel very lucky to have been selected for this program. I enjoy almost all aspects of my new role, every day is different and I am always learning. I have a great support network around me and now have skills for life.

I feel very valued within this company. I know a lot of money has been invested in myself and I hope I can prove that it was all worth while.

The program is organised in a way which brings out the best of you as an engineer. You get the opportunity to learn in a safe working environment (an academy) and then whilst buddied with a mentor, you are able to put into practice what has been learnt on the district within a customers house. As the course goes on, your role and responsibilities increase and I have felt this has been done for me in a no pressure, realistic way.

I get a lot of support from both my mentor and manager within the district as well as the academy staff when in the training centre. I am lucky to have a manager that has experienced a similar apprentiship which I feel, has made him more understanding as I have developed and developing into my role.

I have not really experienced any issues during my course so far however I feel if I had any problems, they would be dealt with and I would have the support within the team around me.

I was worried about my initial salary when starting the apprenticeship however being away from home for the initial year of my course made a huge difference as accommodation and meals were paid for. I was lucky with my living circumstances too, but think if I had to provide for a family it may have been difficult. The salary I do believe is better than most apprentiships and everything from uniform, transport and learning tools is provided almost straight away. I feel as my responsibility within my role has increased, the salary increase has reflected this however, I am excited to come off minimum wage this year!!

I have not really looked into what other opportunities are available but knowing the size of the company, I assume there are various things in place if I wanted/needed this.

Yes

From my experience so far, I feel very lucky to be a part of this company. I have been able to develop skills and learn so much within a short space of time and look forward to the challenges I face in the upcoming months of the program. I am apart of a brilliant pension scheme and have the opportunity to earn lots of money as I progress. I have found the company is good to work for and the people/work colleagues I have met also speak highly of the company itself. The majority of the people on my team have worked for British Gas for 15/16 years, that in itself speaks volume.

When applying for the role as a female I thought I did not have a chance, especially having zero previous tool experience. However having got the role, I feel very lucky to have been accepted on the program. I think the company is diverse and as long as you show enthusiasm and the willingness to learn, you will have a good chance!