Apprentice Network Engineer Review

by Virgin Media O2

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.9/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Working on the live Virgin media networks, solving faults and issues for customers and their network and broadband. This involves working in our street cabinets, underground pits, and sometimes inside customers premises, be it a house office or a larger business, looking into solving their network issues.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

As someone with previous experience in telecoms (not needed for the role however) I am surprised everyday by how much I am still learning. From our large street cabinets, to how our services are distributed out, starting at the headend sites and all the way to customers homes. The taught course is all new to me, and I’m constantly learning about networks, WANS, LANS, Sub netting, IPv4 etc.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I thoroughly enjoy my time with Virgin media, doing my day job, admittedly more than I enjoy my time studying and learning my external course and qualification

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

There is some discrepancy between the day job as a network engineer and the taught qualification. The teaching of the day job is structured excellently, with Virgin providing me with a skilled and experienced mentor from day 1, and having a huge network of skilled engineers I can speak to and ask questions to. Including an open and approachable manger, principal engineer, as well as all my other colleagues.

9/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Huge amounts. We are provided 1 day a week “study day” to focus on our apprenticeship course, if I need additional hours on top of that I know I only have to ask and my mentors mangers and support team will do anything they can to help, including providing support and help from an engineer in my area who has just completed the course, who provides great help and knowledge when I ask for it.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

Estio provide a tutor and an apprenticeship manger, who teach us the course and help us with handing in coursework, proof of off the job learning and off the job hours. In my opinion both of these people from Estio want to tick boxes and don’t provide the support i feel I need, and I believe others feel the same

2/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

Unfortunately very little, a lot of our taught course is not relevant to the day job with Virgin Media o2 as a network engineer. There is however some crossover

5/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

A huge amount is on offer, we also get 5 days a year to have as volunteer days, to take to help a local charity, or just something you believe in and can help! This year I’ll actually be travelling to Belgium for a charity bike ride and marathon event! Transport and accommodation provided, I just need to fund raise and turn up!

10/10

9a. Would you recommend Virgin Media O2 to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

A great company with great values, unbelievable benefits (available from day 1), a huge support network, great qualifications on offer and lots of exciting career progression

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Virgin Media O2?

The application process may seem long and to take up more time than you’d like, but it’s there to ensure as a candidate you know everything you need to know, and as employer Virgin know you’re the right person for the job! You’ll always hear back no matter what, so please be patient. The Future careers team are so helpful and are always just an email away to answer any questions you may have, good luck!