Chief Engineer Cabler Review

I am a fibre optic cabler in telecoms for openreach so daily my job involves everything from surveying the route and proving this via either ridding and roping of the underground duct network or looking at whether we can use the overhead solution of telegraph poles and then building that network by actually putting in the fibre cables

Yes I have renewed my new road and street works and learnt confined spaces entrant and top man qualification I am also developing my functional skills qualifications as well in English and Mathematics however due to the apprenticeship training they do seem to want to hold you back from all the other courses you could attend and learn with the focus on your apprenticeship reason but an apprenticeship is all about learning and progression in a career so this just doesn’t make sense to me or hold up to the argument as such this really sucks for someone who joined the company to build and advance their career!!!!!

The overall structure of the programme I do really enjoy however as mentioned this is over shadowed by this mentality that being on a apprenticeship means holding you back not allowing you to engage in extra training and advancement within the career and this has actually been built into the BT/Openreach contracts as such have now three times missed out on even getting an interview for the role I really want within Openreach as my contract forbids me to apply for it this is really really bad Management of training to me and lowers my enjoyment score overall right down to a fair 2 Openreach needs to stop holding apprentices back when other people not on the apprenticeship joined on the same date have been able to apply and successfully obtain this job role I want but am unable to apply for not because of my skills or experience but solely cause I’m classed as a apprentice poor show when with my background I was already a highly skilled engineer

It is very well structured and designed by both governments and awarding body involvement and frameworks but also by how Openreach have overall implemented this structure to designing their course content and training programmes and how they split this into periods in the classroom then buddying and then back to classroom etc so as to consolidate the training but their contracts that go alongside this leave a lot to be desired

The support in the study from Openreach as the employer is good but the study is not the only part of an apprenticeship in fact the least important part the overall aim of an apprenticeship is the hiring, retaining and development of staff here is where they fall down in their idea of developing staff that doesn’t mean we hold you back to doing just the standard when your able and capable of learning other skills that go hand in hand with your role and future in the company development is not just about initial training but about developing staff for a long future in a company essentially developing all staff as if they might be the next ceo of the company getting staff to meet their full potential not half or even a quarter of the potential

The training team at Openreach looking after and focusing solely on the apprenticeship standard training content solely leaving the contracts aside here is fantastic they are well versed and skilled in their roles as trainers in explaining things and bringing and delivering the content at whatever level your at to meet your needs in this area of the review here I can in all good conscience give Openreach full marks

Well personally it simply refreshing my knowledge as a previous skilled engineer without academic qualifications but for any normal apprentice the programme is designed in such a way as to give you the support and knowledge to be able to do the job independently and competently by the end of the programme as a basic fibre engineer however there is much more to telecoms engineering and many other departments and knowledge and skills that you’ll need to gain to be a truly successful and excellent engineer as such you need to be self motivated to keep pushing for courses and finding learning opportunities which this programme does highlight well too I believe and give you the necessary foundations to be that kind of person ultimately how far you go then is up to the individual

Yes there are Openreach and the wider BT group has a vast range of networks via their workplace site and other forms of advertising such as the union or their diversity networks, expert area matter groups to help you become a master at a certain skill they also have groups such as for scuba divers like myself to find buddies to dive with etc so this is great for making new friends and professional contacts to help advance one’s career and knowledge to draw on

Yes

Overall a great company to work for and a career that’s great fun, truly satisfying and rewarding to keep the country moving during a global pandemic really highlights how worthwhile all the effort you put in is and how the country could not function without the job you do when what you do helps make traffic lights, hospitals, police and other emergency services work and all other national infrastructure so a great sense of worth and achievement to be had in this company!!

Go for it don’t worry about your skills or experience etc they will teach you all you know the current engineers will give you all the support you need, fantastic work life balance maintained by the company as well with plenty of opportunities for overtime and extra money if required also, make the leap you won’t regret it that’s for sure