Planning Apprentice Review
at Virgin Media O2
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Bradford
Review Submitted: March 2021
Overall Rating
4.2 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My day involves completing cabling and civils packs for Virgin Media Business which involves using various software systems do so, this is where a path is created for business back to a virgin media headend and involves figuring out which cables/fibers to use to do this with which is enjoyable as it requires problem solving.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I am enjoying my program quite a bit; I had no clue what to expect coming into it and within my first few days I thought I was never going to understand it as it is very technical but months down the line, it is slowly but surely coming together and feel more confident within my role. It is a very technical role so will take another year or so to be fully confident but enjoying the process.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt how to use new software so my IT skills have improved, I have also developed my time management skills, problem solving skills and my ability to use my initiative. Within my role, I have also had to learn how to communicate with various people within the company of varying authority.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It is very structured but also you are free to manage your own workload. The webinars are given to you in advance so can schedule them into your diary and have a rough guideline to follow when it comes to learning each week. Work wise, I manage my own time and focus on whatever work I need to which has massively improved my time management skills as I need to ensure I get work done on time.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive good support from my employer both from the company and my team/team leader. My team leader supports me when I need that extra help and then the company themselves have been both helpful in resolving problems but also just in general by sending little gifts home like a welcome pack, a Christmas gift and so on so that makes you feel valued.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
They support enough now but at the start, as a group, we felt like we didn't get enough support and were confused with portfolio submissions and so on. Since this issue was raised, they have put in extra help sessions to go through portfolio points ad to answer any questions we have which has been rather helpful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
It helps in a weird way as I am on a project manager qualification but my role is an access planner so aspect don't quite align but other aspects do. I wouldn't say my qualification is helping my role really but it is still interesting and hopefully down the line, I can get a role that is suited more so to the qualification as I find it interesting and would like o go down the project management route.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are plenty. there is a future career committee who plan various activities and involves a weekly catch up call where we do quiz's and other activities. Each team also can do extra-curricular activities but I am yet to really experience them as Covid has prevented actually meeting me team in person so far!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Virgin Media O2 to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They seem like a great company and offer a huge future career potential as well. They have been very supportive so far, people seem to stay with them for a long time and they seem to really look after their staff. They also offer great benefits like health care, holiday buy/sell, well-being support and so much more.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Virgin Media O2?
Be yourself. If you eg through to interview stage, just relax and enjoy it. Do your research on them as a company and the job role you are applying for. Try and make your application highlight the skills that they are asking for with evidence where you have sued them/developed them.
