A level equivelent colledge course or BT apprentiship?

geowal19 · 14 Jul 2010 at 19:45

Basically I have applied and have got a place at my local colledge which is very good in this field in electronic/electrical engineering which I am very looking forward to going to. I also filled out BTs online apprentiship application as a shot to nothing just for a punt but I got a phone call this morning offering an interview, if I am accepted and get the apprentiship I will be away one week out of four at the training facility and will be paid during the 3 year apprentiship and then will be given a job. The problem is that i wanted to do data/networking but the interview is for the apprentiship in electrical power (I'm pretty sure although am clarifing this) and I would prefer to do the colledge course and find work after there might also be a chance of getting into BT after this too as my details are retained. On the other hand and the BT apprentiship could potencially set me up for life job wise with good reliablilty of BT not going bust anytime soon!

Because I'm not sure I thought I would leave my future in the hands of OcUK!

What do we think? All opinions welcomed.

Xinn · 14 Jul 2010 at 19:56

Do the apprenticeship, also try to do it along side an English GCSE/ NVQ or something

geowal19 · 14 Jul 2010 at 20:58

Yeh I need to fid the confirmatin of the role first and i don't really have a job role description as I was having a browse on the Bt website and saw this, the application is for all three areas of openreach so I just said I was interested in the engineering.

dowie · 14 Jul 2010 at 21:02

geowal19 said:
Yeh I need to fid the confirmatin of the role first and i don't really have a job role description as I was having a browse on the Bt website and saw this, the application is for all three areas of openreach so I just said I was interested in the engineering.

Is this a joke or are you really unable to see the red lines pointing out where you've perhaps made a spelling mistake.

geowal19 · 14 Jul 2010 at 21:14

Is this a joke or are you really unable to see the red lines pointing out where you've perhaps made a spelling mistake.

I don't have the coreection thing and there are only two spelling mistakes but can we get back to the original question as this is a waste of time.

Scottland · 14 Jul 2010 at 22:03

Personally I couldn't recommend getting a job at BT, I also wouldn't count it as a job for life either.

"andy" · 14 Jul 2010 at 23:18

Scottland said:
Personally I couldn't recommend getting a job at BT, I also wouldn't count it as a job for life either.

same here even when my dad worked there for 30 years

my mate finished his BT apprenticeship. did all sorts of extra qualifications that they paid for too then after 2 years of being qualified got laid off last year...

Siran · 14 Jul 2010 at 23:42

Scottland said:
Personally I couldn't recommend getting a job at BT, I also wouldn't count it as a job for life either.

I'd agree with the above 100%.

Of the 2 options, the A-levels would win every time IMO. The training at BT maybe very unique to how BT works, and leave you with skills that are hard to transfer into other businesses.

ojrules · 14 Jul 2010 at 23:46

you will always need qualifications to back up any aprenticeship. I've just finished my alevels, and theres a big difference between GCSE's and Alevels or similar. It'd also give you a while to think about what you wanted to go into. What accreditation/exams do you take in the aprenticeship?..

mrbios · 15 Jul 2010 at 00:08

what is this "colledge" you speak of?

dowie · 15 Jul 2010 at 00:28

geowal19 said:
I don't have the coreection thing and there are only two spelling mistakes but can we get back to the original question as this is a waste of time.

I'd say stay at college and get some help with your grammar and spelling. I realise no one is perfect and you may think I'm just being rude but the thread title and opening post don't look good at all.

Parmesan · 15 Jul 2010 at 00:46

dowie said:
I'd say stay at college and get some help with your grammar and spelling. I realise no one is perfect and you may think I'm just being rude but the thread title and opening post don't look good at all.

^^ Was the thread titled "Hi there please read over my post and check my spelling". Maybe he did make a few spelling mistakes, o'well....

Spelling Nazi's - Unless you've got something worth saying, go and watch countdown or something..... :mad:

If the apprenticeship is in an area you dont want to work in, then dont take it, Go do the A-Level and learn the skills you want.

On the other hand, with lack of jobs and such at the moment, taking the apprenticeship might be good as you'd be employed & learning!

Awaits the spelling nazi's to pick my post to bits

Looking at the bellow post I should possibly be back off to college....

friddela · 15 Jul 2010 at 00:50

JoeRiches said:
Spelling Nazi's - Unless you've got something worth saying, go and watch countdown or something.....

If the apprenticeship is in an area you don't want to work in, then don't take it, Go do the A-Level and learn the skills you want.

On the other hand, with lack of jobs and such at the moment, taking the apprenticeship might be good as you'd be employed & learning!

Awaits the spelling nazi's to pick my post to bits....

All I could find

.

danza · 15 Jul 2010 at 07:55

I have an old friend who did an apprenticeship a few years back. In the beginning it was all fairydust and happycakes, but recently the stick-wavers have started looking for anyone not performing at 110% and giving them a dressing down or booting them out.

Apparently BT have changed for the worst as an employer, and the organisation is a bit shambolic from the insider's perspective.

G1BB0 · 15 Jul 2010 at 08:32

BT Openreach is stats mad (like most businesses) trackers on vans, productivity being constantly monitored, unrealistic task times, stress, stress and a bit more stress piled on the engineers!!!

I still work for them as at 38 I dont fancy trying to move on and the wages arent too bad (25k at the mo)

Apprentices do seem to get pushed towards management or more specialised roles though so it is still a viable option

geowal19 · 15 Jul 2010 at 09:11

I've just got the email back and this is what it says:

The interview is for an apprenticeship which involves planning and managing of work packages of all operational property. This will include Power related services. The function is office based but will involve travel to sites for surveys

No thankyou! Not my kinda thing!

Thanks for peoples opinions and help but this is the decider!