Leicester apprentice joins BT on the front line
One of BT’s newest recruits in Leicester says his apprenticeship couldn’t be better as it helps balance an exciting new career in engineering alongside being a Royal Marines reserve.
Muhammad Bhoyroo, 22, is just four months into his apprenticeship with Openreach, BT’s local network business, and he’s telling his story during National Apprentice Week in the hope it inspires others.
For the next two and half years, he’ll spend time learning the ropes as he works towards becoming a fully qualified Openreach engineer.
Muhammad Bhoyroo said: “The last four months have been a bit of a whirlwind, but applying for my apprenticeship is the best thing I’ve ever done. It really has opened up a world of opportunity for me, and although it’s an incredibly steep learning curve, the whole experience has been amazing.
“Applying to the programme was very straightforward. I had to complete an interview and visit an assessment centre. They were really hard work and challenged me, so I was delighted when I found out I’d been successful.
“I’m also a reservist in the Royal Marines so I was really keen to find out if it was possible to continue this alongside my apprenticeship. BT were superb and encouraged me from the outset which was a great relief. To be able to combine the two is as good as I could ever have hoped for.”
Muhammad grew up in Leicester and studied engineering at university before successfully applying for his apprenticeship.
He’s now busy getting experience within different teams in Openreach, working across the East Midlands region.
Initially, he’s been working in the fibre team, finding out more about how the technology works, as well as gaining practical experience maintaining the network.
He’s also spending time in the planning team, studying how they carry out work such as moving telephone poles, installing new telephone and broadband infrastructure, and how to make changes to the existing network.
All of this activity is taking place alongside studying for an NVQ qualification in customer service and infrastructure delivery.
Muhammad went on to say: “The engineers I’m buddying up with also started off as apprentices when they joined the company. I find this really useful as they know exactly what I need to know and how to help me. Because they’ve been in the same position, they know where I’m coming from and what things I’m going to need help with. It works perfectly.
“I’m looking forward to what will hopefully be a long and successful career with Openreach. The BT apprentice scheme is really well put together and I’d recommend it to anyone. I’m having the most amazing experience and gaining lots of expertise all the time, which I know will serve me well in the future.”
It was announced last month that BT plans to employ around 1,400 new apprentices and graduates, some in Leicester, across a range of roles during the next 12 months.
Further information on BT’s Apprenticeship Scheme can be found here: http://www.btplc.com/Careercentre/Ourlocations/UK/Apprenticeships/index.htm
