b'APPRENTICESHIPSJeremy DellAs a qualified engineer, I am currently working on Kelly Groups Virgin Media contract building their Istartedmyapprenticeshipnetwork infrastructure. Im working on the major journey at Kelly Group in Marchnetwork; it is a very prestigious role, involving fibre 2021. At the time, I was lookingsplicing on a live network. Upon arrival, I start the foropportunitieswithintheprocess by figuring out what has been completed telecommunications industry,previously by another engineer within the chambers and thats how I discoveredand how far the fibre is currently running, identifying theGroupsapprenticeshipcables, and pushing fibre through until it gets to the scheme desired destination and splice it at both ends.IwasamachinistengineerbeforeI am proud to have graduated with a distinction joining the Group, however, I wanted to further myfrom the scheme. career by completing an all-around training within an industry that I knew will thrive over the comingIfeel like with all the knowledge and years.experience, I have an opportunity to build a lifelong career as an engineer. The apprenticeship experience has been an amazing journey-everyonehasbeenverysupportive My goal for the next couple of months is to improvefromthebeginning,includingtrainersandmy my skills and speed by gaining more experiencemanagementteamensuringIhaveeverythingI while maintaining the high standards I deliver onneed to excel within the program. I was lucky to be each job. paired with buddies, who have been working within the industry for 25 - 30 years. I learned a lot from Yougetsuchin-depthtrainingduringtheboth of them while working together.apprenticeshipprogram,Icompleted10-15 courses before gaining my BT accreditations.Nicholas J. Thompson a few days to complete. Within this role, I workAnyone who is looking for a new career, I would eitherwithundergroundnodesorovergroundrecommend applying to Kelly Groups apprenticeship BeforejoiningKellyGroup,Itelecommunicationpoles,buildingareliablescheme. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn and was a chef for 12 years workingnetwork infrastructure for residential areas. I amwork at the same time. The Group invests time and inLondon.Ifelttheneedcurrently working in Brighton and its surroundingeffort into ensuring your success and cares about tochangemycareer,andareas. It is a lovely experience to work close to theyou achieving your goals. We created an amazing thepandemicprovidedthesea when the weather is nice and makes the jobcommunity amongst apprentices - weve got each perfect opportunity to spendeven more enjoyable. others back. We went on this journey together and time researching opportunitiesIam proud of my achievementsmade real friends along the way.available in the market. I was lookingforapositionprovidingthroughout my apprenticeshipI enjoy building networks and the sense of reward anall-aroundtrainingexperience.Iafter installing the final network successfully. You was thrilled to be invited for an assessment day injourney, especially understandingknow your hard work has paid off, when you test the connection and its running smoothlyits such a our London-based National Training Centre. I hadsuch a complex network fulfilling moment.a fantastic time getting to know people working within the Group and future apprentices.Such a big career change can be a little challenging, ThroughouttheSMARTAwardsapprenticeshipbut everything is possible if you work hard. scheme, I trained on the Community Fibre and Openreach contracts. I spent the first few weeks with cablers learning the basics about the network before returning to the classroom to work on my qualifications. I recently took my final exams and was delighted to pass, becoming a fully qualified engineer. Onatypicalweek,wegetourjobpackson Monday,whichcouldincludesmallerjobsora more complicated installation, which would take Mark Lowton As the telecoms sector faces increasing pressure for skilled engineers, its critical that we HR & HSQEcontinue to offer high specification training and qualifications for new entrants. Apprenticeships Director have played a key part of our strategy to fulfil niche skills gaps for key disciplines such as Fibre Splicersand Poling Operatives. Im delighted to see our apprentices graduating and continuing their careers at Kelly Group.The Networker Spring 2022 27.'