Senior Linear TV Headend Solution Architect Manager Review
at BT Group
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering, Information Technology
Ipswich
Review Submitted: May 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
4.2/5
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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
I manage a team of Cloud and Software Engineers responsible for designing, testing and deploying backend services for the EETV live TV service, using a hybrid of on-premises and cloud infrastructure. As a team we look after a range of entertainment and sports channels, covering HD and UHD services and providing accessibility services such as audio description and subtitles. My team design and manage the encoding, encryption and distribution of live channels, as well as the meta data presented to customers via the EPG.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The learning is well structured and organised in a way that it makes it easy to identify what I need to research and/or do to meet the course requirements. There is often flexibility on what to cover, and everything learned has been relevant to my day job as a Senior Manager responsible for managing a team and projects.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have grown confidence in applying many skills, and the programme has often reinforced existing practices, usually formalising them with a known model or theory. The programme has also taught me new techniques and models that I can apply to my day job, which has made some situations easier to manage. Examples include making challenging decisions, engaging different stakeholders in the right way to get agreement.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
All the learning and themes are managed on an online portal, and monthly activities are clearly set to help me focus on specific learning.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer allows me to manage my own time to complete studies for the apprenticeship, and when I have workshops or reviews planned, I have often been able to prioritise this over other work. When there has been a conflict of time, I have often been able to either delay the work commitment or delegate the task. The only main times I prioritised work is when there are operational emergencies to resolve.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I have monthly review meetings with my skills coach when we are able to discuss progress, learning and allowing me to ask questions. My skills coach is also accessible via emails in between review meetings and they often responded in a timely manner. They have also been able to help me manage delays in completing aspects of the programme, e.g. due to family situations or illness.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship improved my confidence in working with colleagues outside of my team, as the tools and techniques learned has guided how to approach and present to senior stakeholders and other organisations.
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
Extra-curricular activities are available at work, but I have a home life where I spend time on non-work activities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BT Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BT is a large organisation where you can find many opportunities to develop your career. You can be in the same team but end up doing different jobs over time, as you progress and adapt to new technologies. But also, opportunities in very different parts of BT are also available.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BT Group?
Be open minded on what to expect at BT. You may find an area of interest opens up opportunities in different areas you might not have imagined. An area of specific focus can expose you to different teams and technologies. For example, although I work on the TV service, we increasingly use more AI to make the service better, big data has been a major area to guide and support making the service better, and we engage in commercial and contractual discussions with other parts of BT.
