Trainee engineer Review

I am employed as a telecoms trainee engineer, my roll is predominanatly a physical one, where by i test rod and rope underground ducts then once i have proven a route i would put the cable underground, sometimes using physical means other times by using a mechanical winch or an urger

I have learned about making risk assessments of my work area, i have learned about the telecoms network as a whole as well as how the network works to provide the end user access to the internet. During my time at openreach i have worked as a team more than in previous employment

Whilst i am in the very early stages in the apprenticeship programme i am enjoying every aspect of it. We have spent time learning on the job and gaining valuable experience working with some experienced engineers. The learning aspect has been very relaxed and it has given us an opportunity to learn about the theory side of our work

I am well informed of what is expected of me and i am aware of the dates of my next sessions with my apprentice assist. There is a good gap between online sessions so we have time to learn on the job as well as dipping back to our apprenticeship to create our portfolio

I feel really positive and supported by my manager, he has given me an opportunity to lead a team of new staff was well as putting me forward for further training courses and upskill opportunities. My manager has been very approachable and has been supportive of any requests that i have made to him

Whilst i have all of the relevant initial qualifications from my GCSE'S my provider has been really positive with the work that i have done so far, he has given me regular feedback and explained to us that we need to keep on top of our work and to not fall far behind so the regular sessions have been really helpful

It has given me a relaxed platform to learn my new role without having too much pressure to learn a brand new industry. There has been some things that i have learned through my apprenticeship (such as the theory behind the network) that i probably wouldnt have picked up on the job

The work team has an extensie social aspect, thy have recently organised nights out with a further team building day organised soon which i am led to believe is based predominantly around team bonding/building. I am slo led to beleive that there is regular golf days as well as a football 5 a side team

Yes

They have been very relaxed in terms of giving me time to learn, there is some flexibilty in terms of finishing tim and the work life balance is now much better than in previous employment. The BT group seem to be a really positive employer and give me an opportunity to be upskilled and they appear to be really focused on investing in me as an individual to be the best employee i can be

I would advise anyone with any aspirations of spending more time with their family to work as part of the openreach/bt group. There is also opportunities to work a 4 day working week which would be better for people that have young children. I would advise any prospective employee to work hard, focus on their job but most importantly to work safe and go home safe.