Telecoms field operative
Level 2 · IntermediateConstruction and the built environment 1.3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 2 apprenticeship trains telecoms field operatives to install, test, and maintain telecommunications infrastructure including cables, cabinets, and equipment at customer premises and in the network. Apprentices work outdoors and in customers' homes or business premises, connecting people to broadband, voice, and data services. It can lead to roles as a Senior Telecoms Operative, Field Engineer, or Network Planner.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Telecoms network structure including exchanges, cabinets, and customer premises
Installation of copper, fibre, and coaxial cable systems
Testing telecoms circuits and interpreting test results
Health and safety for working in the street, at height, and in confined spaces
Customer care and communicating technical information clearly
Using telecoms test equipment and electronic diagnostic tools
Traffic management, permit to dig, and working on the public highway
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Install broadband and telephone connections at customer premises
Pull and terminate cables in cabinets, ducts, and buildings
Test circuits and diagnose faults using specialist test equipment
Carry out repairs and upgrades to existing telecoms installations
Interact with customers to explain work and confirm service is working
Erect and work from ladders, steps, and small access equipment
Follow traffic management plans when working on public roads
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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