Fibre Jointer Review

My day to day job requires me to provide and build Fibre networks to businesses' across Devon and Cornwall . This entails a range of jobs, Internal Customers fits, Exchange work and Road working. We enter manholes and joints (nodes) to prove circuits. Once a circuit is complete we prove the route and make sure it fits the customers specification.

Having had no experience with networking before only intereset, I have learnt how Fibre circuits work and how to build them, how to build joints (nodes), how to set up temporary road works, test for different types of hazardous gasses using a GDU (Gas detection Unit). I have also undertaken Maths, ICT and English studies.

I have enjoyed every day I`ve had working with Openreach (even the days where its been hard rain and wind) the training programme is in depth and covers everything I need to make me do my job well. i look forward to my future with Openreach and would recommend the programme to anyone who has an interest in networking.

The programme is set up in a way where its almost spoon-fed to you (if you put in the effort ) I have had 11 weeks training in Southampton and a few more weeks of buddying once training had passed. I'm still in my first year and keep regular updates with my NVQ assessor and manager to see how I am getting on still.

Openreach is a massive company that offers a tonne of support if i need it. Staff around the company work like clockwork and someone is always on the end of a phone if i need help. Managers hold regular briefing and safety checks to make sure we are all ok .

I have a NVQ assessor who is with me through my first year of my NVQ. Openreach also offers Computer based training in which you watch interactive training videos and have assessments afterwards to make sure we understand what's being said. we also have practical training events that make us more beneficial to our customers as we have the skills to do the job there and then.

My qualification helps me a lot as you need to understand the network just as much as you need to understand how to build one. It helps us communicate better with our customers as if they have questions we can answer them with a bit of explanation behind them if needed.

I know that Openreach offers a few social activities but i haven't looked into it properly yet as i`m concentrating on my first year first. In our Gang we hold a few nights out to get to know our team a bit more and to just have fun.

Yes

I have referred a friend already, I joined back in June in 2018 and I don't think I've had a job in ten years where no two days are the same. Everyone I meet is more than willing to help anyone out, a lot of the people have a range of networking background. So long as their willing to put the effort in you have a real sense of accomplishment when jobs are complete.

If you give 100% it is recognised and rewarded. Im not sure of the other roles other than a field engineer, If this is something that interest you, make sure you have a positive attitude and like problem solving. The physical side of things are climbing Poles and entering manholes underground. On a side note you do encounter a lot of spiders so if you have bad arachnophobia weigh up if you can get passed a few harmless spiders.