Delivery, Support & Operations Apprentice Review

I work within Operations and my day-to-day role requires me to monitor the live network. This contains service affecting equipment that must be maintained and monitored 24/7 365 days of the year. I work within the 20C Transmission platform which basically encompasses the network made in the twentieth century. I diagnose faulty equipment, task out engineers and then take their calls in order to direct them to the best course of action to take.

Whilst I had a fairly average IT background before BT, I have been developing my skills way faster than any form of education before my apprenticeship. I have learned about OSI models, routing protocols, network interface cards and many of the complex timing and configurations settings that go into a network. Working within a team has boosted my confidence with many social related skills also seeing a boost too.

The apprenticeship is very enjoyable with everyday being different and hundreds of opportunities for personal development and professional development. I receive many benefits and work with lots of likeable people. Our managers also work alongside us, giving instant access to support should you need it. The work is also fun and rewarding to carry out.

Whilst my Line Manager is very proactive and organised, the sheer size of the company can cause issues with communication reaching us. The University chosen is very disorganised with attendance not being recorded properly, we weren't told our starting or induction date and the staff are seemingly disorganised. University is one day a week however and we only go during term time so doesn't affect the overall experience too much.

My Line Manager is excellent with this, going above and beyond their expectations. They have a weekly apprentice meeting and a 1-2-1 on a monthly basis. They also sit near the apprentices and have a instant messenger set up so they are never more that a few seconds away. We also have an entirely dedicated apprenticeship scheme that supports all aspects as a whole.

There are lots of opportunities for formal training and informal with the opportunity to shadow current employees. We also have our own apprentice documents where we provide training notes to each other along with training on websites that we find that may benefit each other. We also receive training at University too.

The qualification is mostly broad at the moment with it set to get more specific later on. Lots of things we are taught do come up in the day-to-day role. The best aspect of it, is that it makes us more computer literate so we can better learn when at work.

We have onsite sports facilities and lots of partners in the local area that provide opportunities for us to take part. There are constant invites from BT's partners to attend networking events as well as attraction leads that set up social events. We have team bonding too which is regularly organised.

Yes

Whilst BT may not be the most advanced company to work for with lots of traditions in the role, BT provides an experience beyond just standard office work. You direct your own career and you get to choose how much you want to get out of it. There's lots of opportunities to move up in the company and to change the direction that you're heading in.

I would say to just be yourself and be willing to learn. BT are not going to turn you away because you're not completely technical with a full history in IT. Many people need to start somewhere and as long as you're enthusiastic with the right attitude, you can be of any skill level and begin to succeed in your role.