First Call Operative Review

My role within National Grid is an FCO (First Call Operative) gas engineer apprentice. As an FCO, I will be attending reported gas escapes and making the situation safe to safeguard life and property.

Whilst beginning the apprenticeship I have learned many new skills on how to use hand and eletrical tools. I have gained loads of new health and safety skills including first aid. My knowledge about Gas and health & safety has grown significantly. I have also developed existing customers skills whilst on job training.

I enjoy my programme a lot. I have a balance of on the job training where I spend the day with engineers from my depot and go to reported gas escapes and make them safe. However, I also have day at the training acadamies and learn new skills and complete pratical tasks in the workshop, but also spend time in the classroom gaining new knowledge.

At National Grid, I feel that I am very valued by the company. The company offers me the same generous benefit scheme as every other employee, as an apprentice. I am offered loads of support to complete my training and aid me for my future role working as an FCO.

So far the course hasn't be that well structured. Sometimes it is left a week before given notice that we have a course. These courses do require travelling to the academy and staying away from home. This has also made it difficult to book anual leave, and does take a strain on your personal life.

I recieve a huge amount of support. I have various people I can contact i.e my line manager, mentor, course coordinator, course trainer and engineers based at my depot. When enquiring about something, I am always given a responce as soon as possible. My trainer always ensures myself and the rest of the group understand something before moving on with another topic.

My employer offers me a huge amount of support. My manager is keen to know what I have learned whilst away training and makes sure that I have everything I need to help me i.e; training material, stationary, uniform/ppe ect. My manager and mentor also work together to ensure I am out with engineers who will train me on the job and comes to ensure I am being trained properly.

As an apprentice, I started on a generous salary which exceeds the national minimum apprentice wage. On top of that, I have a London weighting allowance, a generous pension package. Furthermore, we are offered a benefit package with a huge vary of options including a salary sacrifice car scheme. Finally, we are given the option to buy shares to the company at a discounted price. When starting the programme, I was pleasantly surprised at what was offered to me.

Yes we have oportunities to volunteer and attend schools, talk to kids and engage in some activities. We can also represent the company on things like marches and races. Although, I am aware that there are more activities, they are not widely publicised within the company and I rarely know about them.

Yes

I feel that I have been well looked after by the company, whilst at home and on the job, but also whilst away from home at the training acadamies. I also feel like I am a valued employee and understand the company have invested a lot of money for my training, which has been interesting as well as challenging, but also fun. This apprenticeship has also allowed me to meet loads of new people from differrent backgrounds and form new relationships.

I would advise others to take every oportunity given to them and to enjoy the interview process as it is different to any other interviews I have had. I would also ensure that they are prepared to travel for the course, and also understand that it does take up and huge part of your life.