Trainee Engineer Review

As a Trainee Engineer in the FND (Fibre Network Delivery) department I to am learning to help deliver, maintain and increase the Fibre network in and around my patch/area. This involves working from the exchange to the end customer, on new building sites and older 'retro' sites. A true understanding of the network is needed.

Everything I have learnt is new to me, having changed career. From all the health and safety involved, understanding how to set up roadworks through to the more technical side of the job. How the network actually works. How fibre gets from A to B, and the impact of doing your job correctly.

The practical training with Openreach was brilliant. While it is very overwhelming with the amount of information that gets trown at you, by the end of it it all starts to click into place. While Covid impacted my programme I think Openreach handled it all very well indeed. The bonds I have made with the colleagues I trained will hopefully last throughout my time with the company

While the practical training was very well organised with great support when needed. The Trainers will often go above and beyond to help you understand or give you the confidence to get where you need to be. However, for me, the studying side of things was a bit different. I believe Covid had a bigger impact as the classroom based study days were lost with impacts a great deal when you're struggling on your own. The team bond just isnt there.

Sometimes this is very good, other times not. When I first started buddying I was with people who where only a few months ahead of me in their NVQ journey, so I was left to mainly watch them as they wanted to learn first before teaching me, which I understand. This has now been rectified though, and I'm getting more support now than when I first started.

I believe that Covid had a negative impact which otherside wouldn't have been there, so I don't want to judge to harshly. I had 2 'coaches' on my journey, and the contrast between them was stark. In the end the support received from my coach was second to none. Amazing.

One of the things I struggled with was how the NVQ related to actual job. Having now completed the NVQ I still struggle to see the relevance. While certain elements are related, I don't belive they help much with my day-to-day working. Maybe someone who is younger and less experienced with work in general may feel different.

At the moment, no. We're in the middle of the Covid pandemic so things like this can't happen. However, I would hope once life gets back to normality that a few social activities will start up. Whether this would be company led, or individuals getting together I don't know.

Yes

So far the company as a whole has been brilliant. Do they have issues, yes, but which company doesn't. I was due to start my training at the start of a global pandemic, and I was kept on the books, despite everything training wise being cancelled. The fact that I wasn't 'let go' or have my employment suspended for a few months or so, I belive, speaks volumes for the type of company this is.

Do it. Whats the worst that can happen. I have encourgaed a couple of friends to apply when they asked me. Advice is always just give it a go, and don't be scared of climbing telegraph poles. If I can do it, most others will be able to. Theres a lot of learning involved, but this is delivered in a fun and enjoyable way, by a great group of people.