When I first discovered the scheme with BT Group, I was immediately drawn to the idea of personal development. As a student, I understood that theoretical learning was only one part of the equation, and that practical experience was essential to my growth. I knew that BT Group, as a leader in the industry, could provide me with an unparalleled level of hands-on experience, and that I would have the opportunity to learn in a real-world setting.

Moreover, working in a corporate environment would provide me with a unique opportunity to network and build relationships with others in the tech space. I recognise the value of such connections in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of technology. Finally, I was impressed by the diversity and inclusivity that the business promotes and felt that it would be a welcoming environment where I could make meaningful contributions. Overall, I am excited about the prospect of being part of BT Group and the opportunities it will provide me for my personal growth and professional development.

As a DTS apprentice, the responsibilities can vary depending on the specific rotation, which can be in areas such as network engineering, cyber security, data analysis, software development, and more. However, in general, DTS apprentices are responsible for developing and implementing innovative digital solutions.

We work closely with experienced professionals and teams to learn about the latest technologies, products, and services in the industry. We are responsible for gaining hands-on experience by working on projects and collaborating with teams to develop and deliver solutions that meet customers' unique needs.

Additionally, DTS apprentices are expected to continue their personal and professional development through training that includes degree level university assignments and lectures, on-the-job training, and mentorship. Also, we must maintain a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and customer service skills to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality solutions and support.

As a newcomer and a first-year apprentice, I am excited to be a member of the Future Voice team. Our team's primary focus is to act as pre-sales consultants, supporting the sales team by providing high-level design (HLD) solutions tailored to meet the specific technical requirements of our customers. Despite having been with the team for only four months, I have already gained a wealth of knowledge and understanding of network systems and technologies.

One of the most valuable skills I have developed during my time in Future Voice is the confidence to communicate and ask important questions of both sales personnel and our customers. As a result of my deepening technical understanding, I feel much more comfortable in discussions with others, knowing that I have a strong grasp of the subject matter. This skill is particularly important as effective communication is key to ensuring that our customers receive the best possible solutions for their unique needs.

I have been fortunate to experience a variety of unique opportunities. From attending gatherings for the internal BT Muslim Network to visiting different offices and interacting with different teams, I have had the chance to participate in a range of events and activities that have broadened my perspective and enriched my experience. Currently, I am in my second semester at university, which has provided me with the opportunity to travel to campus and network with other like-minded apprentices from across the UK who are enrolled in the same course at different companies. This has allowed me to connect with others in my field, share experiences, and gain valuable insights into their journey and career paths.

Unfortunately, there have been times where I have had to decline opportunities due to having other priorities, but I am glad that is the case instead of vice versa. I appreciate how much BT Group has to offer, it makes me feel included and valued.

When I first started, I was fortunate to receive ample support from my manager and other departments. As a new apprentice, I had a lot of questions and was often left feeling confused. However, my manager's guidance and the early careers team's assistance helped me navigate the various resources available to me. They provided valuable information, including contact numbers for mental health support, a team to assist with financial matters, and advice on general queries related to the apprenticeship. I found this support to be immensely helpful and it gave me the peace of mind to know that I was not alone, and that I had a team of individuals who had my back and were invested in my success.

BT Group's focus on digital transformation and innovation is a key factor in driving its future growth and success. With the ongoing deployment of 5G and fibre networks, as well as the development of digital services, BT Group has the potential to revolutionize the way individuals live and work.

Furthermore, our partnerships and collaborations with leading technology companies and start-ups are indicative of its determination to remain at the forefront of the industry and provide cutting-edge solutions to its customers. By leveraging these partnerships and staying at the forefront of technological advances, the business can position itself as a company that is consistently pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities. Ultimately paving the way for a brighter and more connected future which I am excited and proud to be a part of.

I’d say that the apprenticeship is the best thing to do if you want to get your foot in the door of an amazing and supportive company like BT Group! I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career for some time, but then I ask myself what am I good at and when I helped my boyfriend with his business as a landscaper and dealt with the organising and background work, I knew I wanted to do something like that on a much bigger scale.

One of my close friends did an apprenticeship like this in a different part of the business, so she told me about the apprenticeship schemes that were on offer in the business and told me how supportive the business is as a whole. I had never experienced anything like the supportive culture the company offers before in my past job roles, so applying for an apprenticeship here was a no brainer. I wanted to try something new as well and it is definitely paying off.

At the minute, I am at the start of my career as well as my apprenticeship, and I am being weened into it all gradually on the full-time role. The business knows I have university (studying time, lectures etc) once a week and they work around me.

I have had the opportunity to explore LinkedIn Learning, I have had training on specific processes to do with project management such as MyPD (My Project Delivery) and MySD (My Service Delivery) which is to do with orders and deliveries project.

I have had opportunities to go to open events at my office to have Q&A’s with senior members to find out how we can develop professionally and what is good to do when you are looking to develop, e.g. mentoring is a good way to connect to someone to help develop yourself and your career.

People all over the business have been so supportive and helpful, the available internal forums for dyslexia have been a blessing to have for support, as at least a handful of people are not afraid to speak out and help you with your journey if you have the courage to ask for it. I feel part of this company more than I have anywhere else and it is the perfect place for developing, being supported, and having those opportunities to thrive.

I find work life and culture very easy to balance, I always want something to do when I have free time, whether that is going out with friends and family or playing football for my local football team Bury AFC- I’ve played football since the age of eleven and last year my team won three trophies. I am always looking to develop skills for football, so I do extra training and play with some other colleagues here at BT Group in five a side/seven a side games for fun. But that helps with my fitness for the football team I play for as well.

Anyone who visited BT Group’s Robotics festival will tell you that Adastral park, our global research headquarters, and the amazing people who work here have an undeniable charm. As a bright-eyed youngster, I was inspired by the incredible innovation I witnessed on my first visit to Adastral and immediately bought into BT Groups purpose of connecting for good. Having forever held a passion for all things STEM, a degree apprenticeship seemed the natural fit. A career-focused role that allows you to apply the theory you learn with a practical, hands-on approach, not to mention the practicalities of no student debt and four years employment before I graduate.

Personally, I believe that for those interested in a technology career, an apprenticeship with BT Group is one of the best options. You will gain exposure to industry leading professionals and many of the pioneering technologies of our time. It came as no surprise to see BT Group celebrated as the number one ranked private sector apprentice employer in 2022. My best advice for those considering an apprenticeship, is to go for it… showcase your enthusiasm, ask questions, and push yourself out of your comfort zone, it’s the best way to learn.

In Research, our aim is to deliver innovative new ideas that put the business one step ahead of our competitors. As a researcher, it’s my responsibility to identify a problem or opportunity within the business and a stakeholder who’s invested in that field. From here we develop ideas and take them back to the customer as proof of concept or trial. Once an idea has been successfully proven, we work closely with our Customer Facing Units (CFUs) to develop a solution for our customers.

Currently I work in our Future Smart Infrastructure team, with specific focus on Drones and Robotics. Here my day-to-day responsibilities include:

- Software development on various drone connectivity projects.

- Presenting innovations to internal and external stakeholders from a diverse range of industries and public sectors.

- Communicating with colleagues across the business to identify new opportunities.

- Contributing to lab reports and research papers.

As an apprenticeship ambassador I’m also passionate about challenging common misconceptions surrounding apprenticeships - we’re not just walking-talking-teapots, you know! I achieve this by working with our early careers team to run school engagements and host work experience students.

As a research apprentice, we’re lucky enough to rotate throughout our various research teams. This diversity of opportunity provides an excellent platform to develop a broad technical skillset across numerous bleeding edge research projects, gain exposure to different areas of the business and find an area you’re truly passionate about.

Across my two years with BT Group, I have worked within: - AI and Optimisation - where I used digital twins to visualise exchange infrastructure, identify energy inefficiencies, and simulate changes without disrupting customer services.

- Future Cyber Defence - working on Nexus, BT Groups network security visualisation and analytics application.

- Software Based Networks - testing disaggregated network solutions, with the aim of reducing OpEx and diversifying our supply chain.

- Interactive and Immersive content - developing XR (Extended Reality) applications and researching BT’s metaverse strategy.

The most exciting aspect of drones is the huge opportunity drone connectivity and services represents for BT Group. Drones are unique in their offering of mobile hardware, internet connectivity and the ability to fly. It’s these capabilities that are enabling a range of new services both internally and within our customer base.

An exciting recent example is our use of drones to survey our own network infrastructure, this can be captured as a 3D model and integrated with IoT (Internet of Things) data to create digital twins. Other examples include the use of drones in surveillance, asset tracking, search and rescue, and delivery.

We are already at the forefront of drone connectivity in the UK, but our continued research into safely controlling drones - Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) of the remote pilot, will help realise the true potential of drone technologies to add value to ports, smart cities, and many other industries.

On a personal level, remotely controlling a drone from software I’ve built to simulate a command centre environment, as well as the challenge of ensuring this software and the networks supporting drones are secure, are the areas that give me great excitement, especially as I specialise in cyber security at university.

Down streaming research to the business, or commercialising it as a product, is what we’re all about. However, research is always more than just the finished product. Our task is to demonstrate the art of the possible by developing original concepts and proving their viability to the business.

Once a project proposal has been agreed, our Research colleagues collaborate with our accelerator teams, Innovation Martlesham (our high-tech cluster of over 150 companies based at Adastral Park), and various industry and academia partners to develop, test and document a product before it’s released to the client. Much of our research generates patents - this creates value by growing BT’s intellectual property portfolio alone, securing £41m annually for BT Group.

A great recent example is Drone-in-a-Box. In Research, we investigated how to offer a drone-as-a-service solution by deploying and landing drones autonomously from a secure charging box. We then worked with the Drone Solutions team to build this into their strategy and roadmap. They are now engaging customers who are interested in trialling and buying this solution from the business.

I’m immensely proud to be part of the brilliant research we do at Adastral, and the expertise we deliver to the business.

Adastral park in sunny Suffolk is home to BT Groups global R&D headquarters. It has a long history of pioneering innovation, from development of the first commercial single mode optical fibre system in 1983 to our present-day research into areas such as IoT, Quantum and 5G, which is helping drive the UK’s digital ecosystem.

Adastral also plays a tremendous role in the local area, inspiring the next generation of technologists by hosting over 6,000 school children each year on site as well as hosting live virtual events and sponsoring education initiatives such as the Tommy Flowers Network.

Add to that our fantastic showcases, hothouse facilities and the brilliant colleagues that make it all happen and you have a truly amazing environment to work in.

The department is divided into different themes and directorates. However, given the nature of research, it’s important to lower any barriers to collaboration, and consequently our projects often span various research specialties. I’ve had the chance to recently work with our core network systems team to demonstrate the capabilities of 5G networks to support drones for our robotics festival. We all have different skillsets and yet all share BT Group’s vision, which inevitably leads to many exciting conversations huddled around a whiteboard!

Culturally, research has an almost palpable longing to problem-solve, which as an apprentice makes it a great place to ask questions and learn, and working on drones and robots all day, it’s hard not to have fun!