Kelly Group’s Apprenticeship Scheme
Kelly Group is thrilled to offer a comprehensive Telecommunication Engineer, Apprenticeship Scheme. Experienced trainers are delivering a valuable course on a variety of major contracts supporting Virgin Media, City Fibre and Openreach. The skills and knowledge apprentices develop will assist with their future ambitions within Kelly Group and the telecommunications industry.
Kelly Group apprentices graduate with qualifications that meet the requirements of the telecommunications industry, such as Openreach CALOMI accreditations, Virgin Media Installation Engineer accreditations, City Fibre Installation Engineer accreditations, Openreach Fibre Network Build accreditations and many more.
Niamh O’Brien - Telecommunications Operative Apprentice
Kelly Group is delighted to introduce Niamh O’Brien, one of our Telecommunication Operative apprentices who is working towards becoming a certified Telecommunications Engineer.
Niamh is currently training on the field with her mentor Liam, who joined Kelly Group as a Fibre Splicer 3 years ago. Niamh and Liam are siblings, which for most of us would be a challenge, however, having spent the afternoon with both Niamh and Liam, we can confirm their working relationship is one to be rivalled.
Niamh said:
“I joined Kelly Group in November 2020 as a Telecommunications Operative Apprentice. We started our apprenticeship journey by completing an introductory course at the National Training Centre London, then we moved onto practising fibre auditing on the field at one of the hub sites. I am currently training on the field with Liam who has been coaching me since January.
Liam went through a similar journey when he joined Kelly Group as a Fibre Splicer 3 years ago. I decided to apply for the scheme because of his positive journey and experience as a Fibre Splicer.
Before I joined the group I was working as a professional actor. Due to the recent global pandemic, the theatrical industry slowed down which created the chance for me to spend more time developing new skills. I heard about the apprenticeship scheme from my brother, Liam. I thought this was a wonderful opportunity to learn a niche trade within a fast-progressing industry.
I am proud of my smaller achievements such as being able to lift heavy pit lids. My biggest achievement is learning and understanding the network in such a short space of time. Fibre networks are an incredible and complex technology that we have above and below us. It is not common knowledge as to how the network is connected to premises and most people are only familiar with the end product which is WIFI.
I am grateful for my mentor Liam and my managers, Rashid and Dev. They all contributed to my quick progression by coaching me on different systems, and how to deliver an outstanding service continuously in such a broad field of work.
For me, the biggest challenge was adapting to changeable weather conditions as I was previously used to a different working environment. However, doing small things like checking the weather and wearing layers helped me a lot!
I would highly recommend doing an apprenticeship with Kelly Group as it provides a job for life. There is a common misconception around apprenticeship schemes such as, apprenticeships are for people who are less academic in school, or apprenticeships are not as valued as a degree. None of this is true.
I graduated with a First-Class Degree from Goldsmiths University. My current apprenticeship course with Kelly Group consists of 2 years of intense training and what you gain is knowledge that matches or exceeds a higher education certificate. Apprenticeship schemes are simply a different way of learning, if you do not believe university is the place for you, or you are more practically motivated, it is a great opportunity to develop skills that will secure you a sustainable long-term career.
Once you’ve finished your Kelly Group apprenticeship, you’ll have the experience and a job secured which is an incredible opportunity.
On a typical day, Liam and I would head to a hub site or a cabinet that needs attention and work on an external side of the connection. We start attending customer appointments from 9 am and continue our work on the internal side of the network, connecting cables from the outside.
As an apprentice, you develop a variety of skills, which is crucial for your future success. These skills include the understanding of the fibre network and its relation to hubs, transmitting sites and the receiving end, which is the customer connection. We work on both transmitting and receiving ends, therefore problem-solving is another important skill an apprentice develops which gives them the confidence to ensure all customers remain connected.
My biggest inspiration is Liam. My goal is to consistently provide good service to the best of my abilities and highest standards so I can make my mentors proud.
I am hoping to become a fully qualified fibre splicer by the end of the apprenticeship scheme. I would like to build a career within the industry and I hope to move into a managerial role eventually, advocating equal opportunities within the group.
This job is a trade that you can take with you for the rest of your life and opens up a whole new world. In my opinion, the biggest benefit of the role is a good work and life balance, which will allow me to continue performing as an actor.
My advice for future apprentices, especially women, is to know your worth and have self-confidence. Kelly Group is excellent at listening and supporting all employees including apprentices so do not be afraid to speak up. It is a family-oriented community that will support you regardless of your gender or background. There is a variety of components to this trade, and it is ok to take your time to learn and progress at your own pace.”
Kelly Group has multiple career opportunities throughout the UK. We are always searching for talented individuals to represent our brand.
For more information on our apprenticeship schemes, please call the Kelly Recruitment team on 02084247447.
You can view current Kelly Group vacancies by visiting our careers page.
