Questions & answers

Will I just be doing the boring jobs?
No - You’re right, BT apprentices get to do proper hands on work, like any other employee. That might mean you’ll be driving the vans, meeting the customers, installing lines, or like me, working on a project to save the company £400,000.

Yes - So, you think we just do the boring jobs like chauffeur people around, and make the tea? You’re wrong! We actually do proper hands on work, meet the customers, drive the vans, install the lines; currently, I’m working on a project to save the company £400,000. I ain’t no tea boy!

Isn’t every day the same?
Yes - No it’s not, it’s a varied job and you go away for your training courses and your college courses. There are opportunities to go on secondments in other areas of the business. You can also get involved with things like the Prince’s Trust, some voluntary work or go on a development trip to Africa.

No - Yes, every day is different. One day I might be doing my day job, another day I could be away on training courses, or at college. I could be taking part in secondments working in other areas of the business. Some people have even had the chance to do voluntary work with the Prince’s Trust or gone on development trips to Africa.

Is it just for blokes?
Yes - Are you joking? There are more and more women joining BT as apprentices. We get treated just the same and we’re just as good.

No - Of course not. BT takes on loads and loads of female apprentices and we get treated just the same as the boys.

Do you see much of other apprentices?
Yes - Yeah, you’re right. You get loads of opportunities to see each other, you start off by going to a big induction event where you get to make loads of new friends, then you go away to college together. And in the building I work in, there’s about five other apprentices who I see everyday.       

No - Actually, you do. You’ll attend a big induction event where you meet each other. Then you go away to college to study all your courses and your training courses with each other. And I bump into apprentices all the time, because I work in the same building as them.

Don’t BT just do phones and broadband?
Yes - No, phones and broadband are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s loads of things going on at the moment. We’re currently rolling out a new network that will revolutionise how people communicate. There are development labs that have been working on things like broadband TV, or even working with submarines that can lay cables. There’s always new stuff going on and it’s always exciting to hear about it.

No -That’s true, phones and broadband are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more going on. We’re currently rolling out a new network that will revolutionise how people communicate. There are also development labs that have been working on things like broadband TV. There’s so much more new and exciting stuff going on.

Aren’t Apprenticeships just for plumbers and builders?
Yes - No way, there’s loads of different jobs. You could be a customer service  technician, work in retail, be an IT specialist or even work as a trainee mechanic on one of Europe’s largest fleets.

No - Exactly. BT Apprentices work as customer service technicians, IT specialists, they work in retail and as mechanics for BT fleet. There’s loads of different jobs.

Isn’t it scary working for a big company?
Yes - Yeah, it can be a bit scary, you could be given a lot of responsibility but you’ve always got the support of your managers, your coaches, your team mates and even other apprentices. So there’s always someone there to help.

No - Well, it can be a bit scary sometimes; stepping into a new working environment is a big change. You’ve got the support of your managers, your coaches, team mates and other apprentices. So there’s always someone there to help.

Do apprentices get taken seriously?
Yes - Yeah, you bet. Being a BT apprentice really means something, and people are always happy to work with you. If you’ve got a new idea, it’ll always be listened to and taken into account. In fact I’ve even got the chief executive to help me on a project.

No - You’re wrong, we do actually. Being an apprentice is a big deal, and if you’ve got a new idea it’ll be taken seriously. In fact I’ve even got the chief executive to help me on a project.

Wouldn’t I be better off at university?
Yes - Hey, it’s completely your choice; it’s your life. I chose the BT Apprenticeship, though, because it meant I’d get a job, get paid and get qualifications. 

No - Hey, fair play. The BT Apprenticeship might be right up your street. It means you’ll get paid, have a real job, gain some experience and get qualifications.