Trainee telecommunications engineer Review

I am responsible for providing customers with the latest fibre optic broadband. I install both underground and overhead fibres via two basic methods. Underground cables or fibres are pulled along ductwork in the street directly to the customers property. The overhead version is brought from telegraph poles to the property.

I had previously never done a job or skill like this before. Climbing poles with potentially very fragile fibres and working at height in all weathers is not for the faint hearted yet I embraced it. Splicing or literally welding two strands of glass fibre together is a skill I have learnt and it still amazes me even now.

I’m enjoying the whole programme very much. If it was at all a boring or mundane job it would be very hard to imagine doing it day after day. Seeing the end result and the appreciation on the customers faces makes the job very fulfilling. Every day is a new adventure.

I’m only six months into the programme at present and probably need a little longer before I can give a true reflection of my thoughts on this, however the trainer is marvellous and very friendly and always has an answer to my questions. Nothing is rushed and time is made to allow for growth.

OPENREACH is a truly groundbreaking company to work for. The amount of help offered from patchleads to managers is first class. A phone call to anyone will get you the help or answers to questions you need, whether it be directly or by giving you a name/number of someone who can help.

My training provider if you mean my trainer and not the company is very good. He helps us all by offering suggestions on how to negotiate our EPA, how to complete our portfolios to achieve the best results (but not do them for us) and how to cope with the whole process.

Currently, like previously mentioned, I have only completed six months of my apprenticeship and therefore feel that trying to answer this one now would be hard. Once I have completed it I hope that my qualification have taught me sufficient to perform my role without any hitches or assistance from others.

Openreach, as far as I am aware, do have these kind of things but as yet I have not enquired about anything.

Yes

Job opportunities are excellent. So far all the staff I have met are friendly and willing to help and share their knowledge. The benefits are worth looking at. The training is brilliant. Why wouldn’t you come and work for them?

Firstly OPENREACH are a very equal opportunities based company who like and value diversity so when applying just be yourself. I applied and got accepted into the apprenticeship scheme at the age of 50 and trained with 20 year olds so don’t feel that age is a negative factor.