Apprentice Planner Review

On a day to day basis my role involved creating pre-plans and planning packs for network expansion. Working within a team in the South central/ South coast region. Being involved in team calls, using programmes to update network/ fibre records. Going out to sites to perform surveys and planning new jobs.

On the apprenticeship you'll complete Project Management modules and work. This is linked to your day to day work. Work through 14 modules covering subjects such as resource management, implementation strategies and governance principles. During my day to day work I have developed my planning and organisation skills. I have also improved my ability to keep records updated.

This programme is very new for me. I did not have any background in project management or the telecoms industry. Its been very enjoyable constantly learning new knowledge from telecoms infrastructure to how fibre cables send signals. The team I work in are all super friendly and it was so easy to settle in.

The structure of the programme is laid out from the start. You get one day a week to focus on apprenticeship work. Subjects within the programme are split up into modules and then every 2 modules we complete a portfolio. This adds up towards out end point assessment. Its very well organised.

You always receive a lot of support. The team are all very friendly and approachable, no one minds talking to you or helping out. My manage is my first line of contact within our team. We have weekly calls and regular catch up calls so I never feel like I have no support or cannot easily get help.

Within my training provider I have my own coach who I can always contact for help or advice. We have catch-up calls every 6 week to check my progress and answer and questions I may have. We have learning webinar's every 6-8 weeks to learn new content and subjects.

Even though I am not working directly within a project management role I can relate my studies to my day to day work. Its improved my understanding of how projects work and the skills that are required to plan them. This can be from small scale projects to huge company wide projects.

Due to COVID-19 it has been very hard to hold extra-curricular activities but I believe during normal times these run quite often. Even though we are in lockdown, Virgin Media hosted an interactive activity day for all the apprentices, gradates and interns. We took part in loads of fun activities and it ended with an award ceremony.

Yes

Virgin Media has such a great culture to work within. The values that the company holds creates an extremely positive working environment that's great to be a part of. Everyone within the company has a voice and can have their opinions heard. The benefits are also great to have.

Just be yourself. Cliché I know. They're looking for positive individuals with a willingness to learn. They are not looking to hire people who are already experts within the industry; they want focused, willing individuals who can fit in really well with the Virgin Media culture.