Trainee Engineer Review
at BT Group
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Petersfield
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
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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
Openreach apprentices work to build and maintain the network in support of the communication providers who are our clients. As a cabler on the Chief Engineers' team, I am responsible for surveying and implementing the transition to a full-fibre physical network.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy the programme I'm on as it's hands-on and relatively autonomous. Importantly, I can see the positive impact of my work, and know that delivering a full-fibre physical network will benefit millions of people, so I am happy to be helping with that project.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I've learned many new skills already, many of which are broad and not exclusively specific to the role. The majority of new skills cover the appropriate safe use of the equipment necessary to efficiently complete my role as a cabler.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Openreach has taken on many thousands of apprentices so the logistics are well developed. The whole onboarding and training process has been managed with precision.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I benefit from a network of experienced colleagues and apprentices who're further along the process than I am. They are all friendly and helpful. The apprenticeship supervisor I've been assigned has decades of experience within the business and has excelled at both training support and pastoral care. The pathway forward is clear and well-defined.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The majority of the training at Openreach is front-loaded so the majority of the off-the-job training has already been completed. This is bolstered and entrenched by continued access to feedback and colleague' support. We have access to online learning courses which are an additional means for self-development.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Joining Openreach as a cabler was a significant career shift so the training has allowed me to perform the role to a high standard. Importantly, safety has been constantly emphasised throughout at all levels of the business.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Not that I've seen so far but then we're still dealing with CV19.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BT Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The future is digital and whatever happens, the current copper network will not have the capacity to deliver the speeds necessary to enable developing technologies. Therefore working with Openreach to create a full-fibre network is a stable and valuable career that contributes to anyone who uses the internet.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BT Group?
Be patient but definitely apply as the target has recently been updated and they will need to take on another seven thousand apprentices to help deliver it. The build itself has to be done, and Openreach are the market leaders with a great track record for quality and safety.
