Apprentice Telecoms Field Operative Review

Installing Tv, broadband and telephone services to customers houses for the first time and also upgrades to current package. Service calls which involves fault finding. This can be replacing a drop cable from a house to a pit in the ground. Also replacing faulty customer equipment and upgrading equipment to new.

I have learnt new ways of communication. I feel like a build a rapport with most customers I meet and leave a lasting impression. I have learnt how the cable networks operates and why things go wrong. I have learnt more about technology and the way different pieces of equipment works.

I enjoy it enough to keep pushing on. Once I'm at work I get stuck in and enjoy working with my hands. It has been very tough adapting to a new way of working and keeping go with the amount of communications has been very stressful. Its hard learning a new trade while being snowed under by a mountain of emails.

It has a good structure and I am glad there is only 1 study day every few weeks. This is because I enjoy being out in the field more and working from home less. I wish there was more shadowing with mentor as I feel I have missed out of some key information and knowledge.

I get a lot of support from my manager and mentor. They have been there for me when I have wanted to speak about issues outwith working conditions. I can get extra support or training in the field when I need it and feel therevis plenty of time for me to get up to speed.

I get plenty of time on study days to work towards the written part of my qualification. I use my downtime on the job to ask for coaching or speak to my manager. I can speak to my manager if I need extra time or support to achieve my goals.

I feel like it gives me more computer skills and builds up my literacy more. It helps me become a more effective listener and teaches me how to communicate to customers better in the field. It gives me more background knowledge about my job that I can take into the field.

I have been on one night out at Christmas so far whih was good for me to see a different side to my colleagues. We have also had a few meetings where we can communicate informally and have a laugh. I hope that in the future there can be more team building activities as the role can be very lone based.

Yes

The apprenticeship has a very modest starting salary and has many opportunities to build up your pay in the future. It is a fast paced 1 year programmed which builds your skills quick and gets you a qualification in a short period of time. There are plenty of benefits of working with virgin such as cheaper Tv and great pension pacakge.

Be prepared for the amount of information you have to take on and process in a short period of time. You get thrust into field very quickly and have to be a quick learner. Stay on the ball constantly and make sure you aren't lagging behind on any work and knowledge.