GF DevOps Network Engineer Review
at BT Group
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Ipswich
Review Submitted: February 2025
Overall Rating
3.8 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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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:
4/5
I work within the Global Fabric (GF) design, test and verification team. Daily tasks for me vary from physical installation of routers, copper+fibre cabling, network device configuration, network design, IP address management and general maintenance. I have regular communication with vendors like Juniper and Cisco to help provide solutions to help test their features. The testing done in the labs is crucial to BT as it validates and checks the systems before deploying to the live network - where things cannot go wrong! I also dabble in a few other projects (some being sub-projects) including working on the physical security systems for GF the live UK router configuration platform.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I have really enjoyed the on-site work experience. I think this has really helped me both learn lots of knew things but also see the real-world application of them. By being hands-on, I can fully understand how it works rather than relying on theory. The university is also accommodable, and facilities provided by both BT and the uni have been of great assistance to help enjoying the programme whilst remaining a good work/study/life balance
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt a lot of computer networking skills, vastly increasing my knowledge in configuring Cisco routers and switches, with competency in designing and deploying networks up to CCNA detail. I am also more confident using a range of programming languages including Python, Java, Jinja2, yaml. I have also developed on a lot of soft skills such as communication, team-working, tactfulness, delegation and time management.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It is very well organised. Although some changes have occurred (such as the termination of "rotations"), the rest of the programme has remained stable. The difficulty has increased at the right rate, with regular opportunities to continue growing.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I have been fortunate in providing a lot of support from BT, mainly through my line manager who has been very supportive surrounding work hours nearing university deadlines, and general work load. I have also experienced support in other areas when needing to work overtime or having issues with my work/uni
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I personally have not made use of many of the resources available, but some of the support provided include 1-to-1s, research guidance and student support and additional-requirement assessments and adjustments
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Although there is a lot of generically useful information, especially in the networking-specific modules, unfortunately I have found that quite a few of the university topics have been fairly redundant. This may be a unique experience however as i work in a primarily network-centred part of the company
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
There are semi-regular events going on including an annual sports day, many holiday events and site-wide culture days. There are also ATLAS sports facilities available on site including tennis, a gym, basket ball etc. I also aim to get involved with the BT Table Tennis team to take part in the leagues, but there are other clubs too.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BT Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The apprenticeship has offered me so much experience, both with the university qualifications as well as the on-the-job training that i simply would not have received had i gone to university alone, not to mention the salary and many colleague benefits received from working at BT that kickstart a career (no student debt, very comfortable apprentice pay, and BT employee benefits)
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BT Group?
Enjoy the freedom of the apprenticeship scheme, but try not to spend all your money straight away!
