Trainee Engineer Review

Openreach apprentices work to build and maintain the network in support of the communication providers who are our clients. As a cabler on the Chief Engineers' team, I am responsible for surveying and implementing the transition to a full-fibre physical network.

I've learned many new skills already, many of which are broad and not exclusively specific to the role. The majority of new skills cover the appropriate safe use of the equipment necessary to efficiently complete my role as a cabler.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme I'm on as it's hands-on and relatively autonomous. Importantly, I can see the positive impact of my work, and know that delivering a full-fibre physical network will benefit millions of people, so I am happy to be helping with that project.

Openreach has taken on many thousands of apprentices so the logistics are well developed. The whole onboarding and training process has been managed with precision.

I benefit from a network of experienced colleagues and apprentices who're further along the process than I am. They are all friendly and helpful. The apprenticeship supervisor I've been assigned has decades of experience within the business and has excelled at both training support and pastoral care. The pathway forward is clear and well-defined.

The majority of the training at Openreach is front-loaded so the majority of the off-the-job training has already been completed. This is bolstered and entrenched by continued access to feedback and colleague' support. We have access to online learning courses which are an additional means for self-development.

Joining Openreach as a cabler was a significant career shift so the training has allowed me to perform the role to a high standard. Importantly, safety has been constantly emphasised throughout at all levels of the business.

Not that I've seen so far but then we're still dealing with CV19.

Yes

The future is digital and whatever happens, the current copper network will not have the capacity to deliver the speeds necessary to enable developing technologies. Therefore working with Openreach to create a full-fibre network is a stable and valuable career that contributes to anyone who uses the internet.

Be patient but definitely apply as the target has recently been updated and they will need to take on another seven thousand apprentices to help deliver it. The build itself has to be done, and Openreach are the market leaders with a great track record for quality and safety.