Network Engineering Apprenticeship Review

Maintaining IT systems, learning how to create, configure, deploy, and troubleshoot the systems and services we provide. Learning about internet and networking technologies, Liaise with customers and work in a team, join many meetings about your work. Learn about other roles as well, with a rotation between the different teams.

Ive learnt a lot about information technologies and internet systems. Ive learnt how to deploy and configure the systems that BT provides, especially those in my department. Ive learnt some minor project management skills. Ive also improved my communication and teamworking skills and general work skills.

Its a programme that Ive enjoyed very much. I enjoyed the work I did and was eager to learn more. My manager, team, and colleagues were very supportive and helpful in my work. I found BT to be a good company to work for, they were very supportive and helpful.

Due to the pandemic affecting my apprenticeship it is difficult to objectively answer, as the structure had to be changed on the fly, but I felt that there was a good structure (when it was applicable) and there was good organisation, as my team and the department were able to adapt to the challenges they faced.

I received a great deal of support from my employer, with lots of check up and support meetings, and many avenues to access support and to ask questions. I was given a good amount of independence and space in order to study, and I was given opportunities to advance my knowledge in work.

Ravensbourne were a mixed bag. Individual lecturers and tutors were often great and supportive, helping us and going the extra mile, but the overall programme was disorganised and unhelpful. There was high staff turnover, confused messaging, and the course coordinator would often ignore emails and be generally unapproachable. And finally, any problems that did arise were often blamed on us students, we werent trying hard enough, we misunderstood, we were exaggerating etc. It felt childish and unfair.

I knew very little about information and networking technologies before starting, and what I learnt on the course helped me and supported me in my job. I saw a lot of what I learnt in the classroom become applicable in my job, what different protocols did, how things worked, best practices etc.

There are several. They advertise many extracurricular activities, sports, lunches, socials, exercise classes, volunteering opportunities etc. I personally rarely get involved, but I always have the option to do so if I wanted. Also, I often socialised, and continue to do so, with course mates and teammates outside of work.

Yes

Theyve been a good company to work for. Theyre very supportive and fair, my colleagues have also been very kind and supportive. I feel that I have learnt a lot, and have had many opportunities, and that I am in a good position to continue and build on my career.

Wear deodorant.