Network Test Engineer Review

My role consists of the testing of devices such as phones, and wearable's to make sure that they work on our networks. There can be a lot of waiting for devices to connect to different signals as part of the testing that we do is make sure that when the signal drops from 4G to 3G the call doesn't die.

Yeah, because my apprenticeship is a degree level apprenticeship, I learn both in my work place and at university. My day to day work includes me learning new skills in both the testing and the different environments that we work in. I have access to a range of different online sources of information to be able to develop my skills as well.

I have met a great group of people in and out of my team, I have had the chance to meet people from across the country as well as the future potential to move around this country (UK) and abroad to continue this job. Knowing this alone as well as the fact I am getting paid to do it all has been amazing.

There have been hiccups at times where things seemed a little last minute such as knowing where we were going at the university side of the apprenticeship, and how some times we didn't get all the equipment at the same time. However they were normally not too much of an issue and were resolved before the end of the week.

Constant. If at any point there is any issue I know exactly who would be the most helpful to go to through out the company. This along with the support that was set up from day one, with our teams knowing we are there to learn and help out where we can. To dedicated people within the team who were assigned to help us out if we need with the technical aspects of the job.

Working towards our qualification we have constant support both from our managers, teams as well as the university staff themselves. They have had degree level students before at the university and so are ready to deal with any issues that may arise throughout the course. This along side our support that we receive from within the workplace make it an enjoyable experience.

The qualification we are working towards as part of the apprenticeship is a general IT degree covering a range of topics within this first year. We have seen how a range of things work from cyber security to how computer networks are created. The following years become more specific however to our job roles so those will provide more helpful experience which will assist in performance within my job.

Yes, there are activities going on as part of the workplace with football games, to groups that go running over lunch. There are also more focused activities such as being able to go on a weekend away with a Signalling Reserve Regiment to see how telecoms are used within the forces. There are many experiences out there its just a matter of finding ones you are interested in and want to do.

Yes

So far it has been a great experience, I have met loads of people, work in an area I didn't think I would. Being paid to get my degree and four years of work experience at the same time. It has been good so far with much more promise in future as well as the high expectations for us to progress quickly once the apprenticeship finishes.

Have an interest in the area you are applying for, but don't be set on that area to much. the interviews and application process are fairly long with multiple stages, but it will be worth it. I have friends who are apprentices for other companies who earn a lot less that I have for my first year in such large companies. The salary, the big company, the want to get you trained up as their employees, the experiences. These are all reasons to push yourselves to get the job, and once you do the rewards come rolling in!