Trainee Network Engineer Review

My day might start in a customer’s home reconnecting them to the network or fixing a network problem at a local business, Then I could be in a street cabinet on a village high street or bringing new technology to vulnerable household to help them stay in touch with family. Each day is different and exciting.

Since starting I have learnt many new skills things from how to safely climb a telegraph pole or what drill bit to use on different surfaces, I have also earnt qualifications such as EUSR and Signing Light and Guarding, these are required to do my job but not restricted to my job role and can take them away to any other job i have in the future

I highly enjoyed the initial training, the teachers and colleagues are very supportive even after training has finished, answer any queries any time of day. The culture around the company is very team work based everyone is willing to help even on the off days that your brain just doesn't seem to work there's no judgement on 'silly' questions.

The structure of the programme has been a bit all over the place due to COVID but it has been managed very well considering and any changes have been implemented quickly and efficiently and I always know what's happening within my programme if that's tutor changes or cancellations of study days.

My employer provides me with all the support I need, such as making sure I have the right equipment to work remotely on study days, making sure I have the time needed to complete units within my programme. My manager is constantly asking if there's ways to help, answering any questions giving me tips on where to find information etc.

My Assessor is always on hand to help me even on non study days, providing links to help with units within my programme or team calls to talk through things that could be added to work I have submitted. Study days ran smooth because of their constant support and guidance.

The units within my qualification highlight the safety guidelines within my role and their importance to my job and what not following them could result in, it also provides a very clear look at what jobs should be in a ideal environment which helps give a template to follow for when the ideal environment is no longer there.

As far as I am aware there are not any extra curricular activities where I work. Openreach provide you with 3 days of company time to go out and volunteer within your community, allowing you to use skills you already have or to learn new skills to help you as a person.

Yes

Openreach is a great place to work, with friendly faces at every turn, countless progressions available and constant training provided to help you improve at your job and work towards different jobs. There are many benefits available to you as an employee some that stay accessible even after you leave.

The application process is notoriously long, for good reason a lot of people apply. I found during my interviews just being myself was more than enough, its true what they say, you do not need any previous experience they provide all the training needed to be great at the job. One piece of advice is just trust in the trainers they know what they're doing.