Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Hi, i also had an interview with kellys last week, i have been given a start date next month for the training. I am a little torn as to keep my options open, I also went for an interview with fujitsu to install virgin and have been given a start date for them. Has anybody worked for both these companys? i would like a little advice as im not sure which company to choose.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

You'd possibly learn more at kellys because Fujitsu/virgin I think would only be broadband. But don't take my word for it I'm just a bloke waiting for his contact haha

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

You're new Openreach aren't you? I've not seen anything to say when there is a pay review that you would be treated different. They are usually pan-BT.

It sounds a long way away doesn't it? No point any of you worrying too much, everything is taken care of. You don't have to pay for anything you'll either be put up in a hotel with your meals paid for or you'll stay at Yarnfield where everything is paid for. If you don't have a van then you just log in online and make a claim for your fuel/public transport costs. That is then paid into your bank account a couple of days later (so you're only ever out of pocket for 3 days or so). Good luck to all.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

[QUOTE=MrIca;35721039]You're new Openreach aren't you? I've not seen anything to say when there is a pay review that you would be treated different. They are usually pan-BT.

Hi mate thanks for replying, I heard that you don't get normal pay reviews like the rest of openreach just get the yearly cost of living increase? I did find that hard to believe at first as surely that couldn't be the only increase you would ever get every year but not really sure?


It sounds a long way away doesn't it? No point any of you worrying too much, everything is taken care of. You don't have to pay for anything you'll either be put up in a hotel with your meals paid for or you'll stay at Yarnfield where everything is paid for. If you don't have a van then you just log in online and make a claim for your fuel/public transport costs. That is then paid into your bank account a couple of days later (so you're only ever out of pocket for 3 days or so). Good luck to all.[/QUOT

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Thanks mate. its a difficult choice as i cant trial 1 and then go to another as id have to pick up the training costs if i leave within a year. Only downside with kellys is no pension or holiday pay.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

When people talk of a pay review, they mean the cost of living increase. It's the same thing.

When someone in the company reaches the top of their pay band they would only get the union negotiated pay increase anyway. The Union would usually negotiate a 3 year pay deal (say 9% increase spread over 3 years for example).

It sounds from what you're saying that they've done away with a pay band, so your pay is a set amount from the day you start and all you get is the pay rise that the union agree that everyone in the company gets. That's a shame if true, I'll look into it.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Thanks mate! Appreciate the help 😊
Do you work for Openreach yourself I'm guessing?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yeah I agree some great answers mrlca thank you. I have another question for anyone who might know I've spoken to a few on this forum and they have told me their job titles. Mine being "overhead network engineer" ive tried searching this job role for what's involved other than the obvious of repairing faults on telegraph poles. Just wondering what else I may be doing? Will I be in a team or alone or both? Will I get a normal van or use the transit Luton vans you see working on the road's.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Im wondering the same baz! Im a fibre jointer

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

fiber jointer = fiber optic splicer,overhead network engineer prolly cherry pickers 2 man teams i think there is some one else on this forum already training up at yarnfield as that one baz.hippopig i think is his user name.i got OMI/BB as my job one man installer,pole to house i think...

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I got om Bbi too tre, pole to house and set up in house I think?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Are you two guys on higher pay band aswell then?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

yes i was offered on the 19,000 pay band, so hopefully thats 21,200 now.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yea me too! I just presumed that there was only two positions fibre jointer or copper jointer. Had no idea there was otger roles until coming on this. Im due to start on 28th this month and ive still not received contract or any details of training etc

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

well i been a single mode fiber splicer for 15 years now but they offered me OMI role but hey ho,expecting contract any day now as i start the following monday must be running different courses up at yarnfield.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Have you been working for bt as a fibre splicer? Whats it like?is it mainly working at customers properties or more at the exchanges etc?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

To be honest I can't be much help here. These are new job roles so I can't say for sure exactly what they are similar to. What I can say with a high degree of certainty is that you'll be working alone, don't expect to be part of a 2 man team.

Overhead network engineer is self explanatory though, you'll work on everything except the underground network. You won't fix broadband faults, but some of the faults you fix will have the effect of fixing the persons broadband anyway. Kinda hard to explain until you see how the jobs are delivered. Remember, BT has by far the most advanced line testing system in the world, it's quite impressive what it can detect so it'll give you a suggestion as to where the fault might be in the network and you go off and fix it.

Also, the recruiters just seem to make up job names and when you get into the company your job isn't actually known as that at all so don't read too much into the names and descriptions of these jobs at the moment.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Hope you get it soon mate they don't half cut it down do the wire do they no pun intended lol. You would of expected them to have used your expertise in that are area tbf but like u say hey ho. A guy who lives by me worked for kelly 16 year and can't get a look in and 2 chaps from Avonline the same. Where as me I'm from a complete different background and really happy they considered people like me.

So all in all there a good chance we may be having a crack at all aspect of the job eventually and be classed as engineers. I'll be honest with u all I'm mostly bothered what van I'll be able to take home if any, I don't really fancy commuting to a depot every morning to use vehicles that have to be stored ie cherry pickers. It would be a lot nicer having a van parked up at home haha

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

You guys keep mentioning cherry pickers, how come? There are specific teams that are cherry picker drivers and that's all they do. You won't be driving a cherry picker! If you need one at any point you call one of those guys and they'll come and help you.

You'll either get one of those little Fiats with the dinosaurs and spacemen on the side or you'll get a standard Ford Transit and you'll be able to park it at home if you want. Little tip, but very important-never, ever be tempted to use your van for anything other than commuting to work and working. They are tracked and you WILL get sacked, even if you do it once.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Think it's cuz got too many questions floating around my head but makes sense now. That will be my answer when family think it's great I got a van can you move this for me I'll be like nope lol

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yeah exactly, never be tempted. Anyway you couldn't fit anything else inside it even if you were allowed to use it for personal use. Your van will be absolutely crammed full.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Aren't the vans sectioned off aswell? The side door and back door for to separate compartments?

---------- Post added at 12:44 ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 ----------

Someone said you get free broadband too? Every penny helps and all that lol

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yes you get free BT Infinity 2. You are right they are sectioned off, the side and back are separate and the whole thing has built in boxes and drawers and set places to keep all of your gear.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

How does it work tho as I already have infinity 2? My mate works for Openreach on broadband faults I've seen his van it's chockablock! Lol

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

How does it work? Your BT bill will just reduce by the amount you are paying for your Infinity. It just shows as £0.00

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

What job do you do in bt mate? You know your stuff fair play!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Obviously were going down to the induction for a couple of days but after that does anyone know if our 5 weeks training is all at once or is it a week there and then back home for some on the job training then back for another week of training etc? There leaving it really late to tell us whats happening considering we have to stay away from home for training.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I was thinking the same, I know we are being buddies up also, not sure if it's after the 5 weeks or included within the 5 weeks?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I wouldn't ever admit to working for them on a public forum. What makes you think I do?

Yeah they do always leave it late to let you know you're going away. You'll just have to accept it'll be like that for a couple of months. They'll put you with a buddy as soon as you've done your safety training and then you'll keep going back to one of the training centres to do more practical training for a few days or a week at a time. When you're not on a training course you'll be with your buddy.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Any news on any contracts lads?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Nope starting to get rediculous now

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

e-mailed them and should get it early next week..

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Just got a phonecall about travel arrangments :) get contract next week

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

congrats to all you guys that got it.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

hitch hike its cheaper :dozey:

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Actually got the phonecall today explained what time to be there at the induction and to keep fuel receipts expect an email on how to book the mileage and other things will need to know. Asked if I'd need to stay in a hotel but won't need to as only 35 mile away. Getting there but still no contract lol anyone else had anymore news?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

What you mean stay in a hotel mate? yarnfield has rooms doesn't it? Or are you. It at yRnfield mate? I've had an email asking for national insurance passport num etc that's it so far tho

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

He just asked if I had my own car I said yes and asked would i be coming the day before and staying overnight and I told him no cause it not to far from me. But for others they would travel day before and stay the night like yourself. I can't do that anyway I work up until the Wednesday.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

There's also a large training centre at Harrogate that doesn't have rooms, and a large one in London also

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Got email today confirming induction schedule over the two days and saying training was in Harrogate and accommodation during training was at a different place and that budding would be based in your local area but all will be explained in detail on the day. Hope I get the offer of a train to Harrogate haha

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

When was your start date again buzz?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Baz is same as me aug 28th i think

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yeah 28th lads

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

finally got the phone call,now just need the contract lol..

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I'm feeling left out now lol! My start date is October 13th tho ����

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

you wont hear anything untill october.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Hi everyone, found this thread through a google search.

I went for an interview with BT down at Brentwood on 8 July and was told I would hear if I was successful in about 4 weeks. It has now been just over 6 weeks and I still havent heard anything, how long did you guys have to wait to hear from BT?

Thanks :)

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

i was lucky just a week or so,depends when and how many they need in your area i suppose.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I heard in 3 days. You should phone and chase them up

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Phone what number lads?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

That was going to my next question, does anyone have the phone number for BT HR please?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Do you mean phone the recruiter assigned to you mate?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Leigh you wont here anything much for a couple weeks atleast. Was saying bunter should chase up his job because he hasnt heard anything since interview

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Ok matey! I have had the email about the document Ids and stuff! My dae is so long away now I wanna start lol!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I Would like to phone them up but I dont have a point of contact, I guess just ringing HR should get me started?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Wonder how union got on with the contracts anyone heard anything? Hopfully what we mentioned with the salary rise. Completely random question here now but whenever searching internet or forums for answers about our new company is it just me who stumbles upon disgruntled ex openreach engineers. They always say bully managers, wondering anyone else found this or is it just some engineers have left on bad terms and put the knife in. It don't effect me in anyway I'm proper looking forward to it.

---------- Post added at 17:04 ---------- Previous post was at 16:02 ----------

On another note had another phonecall asking if I'd rather catch a train to yarnfield than use my car because there are vans there to take home and use for getting to training. Sweet

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

If its Kellys or MJQuinns there will be gripes better off on BT

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Hes direct with bt same as me

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Wonder if that will be the van you will keep and it's just getting issued to you at the induction..

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

well done u2 then u will b ok have u ever worked 4 the other 2 **** comanies?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Nah never worked in this kind of job before heard there **** though and bt is alot better.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Na I've never worked at either mate. The way the woman asked me made me think that they will be vans they will be getting rid of soon to save hiring too many rental cars maybe I'm wrong they might be new ones. A kelly bloke I know told me there a place in Gloucester an openreach site started filling up with new Vans being stored.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yeah iv seen the ad where it shows Openreach had just bought 1800 new fiat cargo maxi vans, small vans maybe they are for the 1600 new recruits?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

any one got there contract yet?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

So do we get brand new vans then?

---------- Post added at 21:35 ---------- Previous post was at 21:33 ----------

Nah no contract got told itl be tomorrow or early next week

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Not sure mate! Looks that way if they have just bought the vans but I'm
Not sure? Maybe mrica will know a bit more?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

You lot Any contracts yet lads? Today should be the day for you lol

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

nope.no contract yet.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Nope got the security stuff through tho and sent it back straight away so should get contract soon!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

What security stuff bacon? The national insurance num and passport number I had last week and sent back straight away, the security stuff is something different is it mate?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

yea same thing as that leigh, When i chased everything up on Tuesday they said once i returned security details that triggers the contract to be sent out so hoping it should be here soon! Your 1st Sept aren't you? Im aug 28th and been told were not getting vans on 3 day induction so not sure when i will get mine

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yeah I sent mine straight away too mate! Ain't had any contracts yet same as you but no mate I'm 13th October, I'm keeping track of everyone's start dates lol so I know roughly when to expect mine lol! Baz is getting a van but he said its prob a temp can ust for training so dunno if the vans get issued after training I'm
Not sure!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

it sounds like ppl only care about a works van lol

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

got induction info,get van on second day of OMI/BB training i presume its the van we keep.
not had any security stuff yet was told i would get it last week and now got e-mail saying next week ,just over a week to go

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I never got asked for my passport or drivers licence since I provided it at my interview. I wonder what happens if we hadn't received contract before we went to our induction? Also is everyones training in Harrogate or are we going to different training facilities?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I'm doing bb omi too tre, when I had the first phone call they asked me where I would prefer training and they mentioned Harrogate but when they rang me they just said induction in yarnfield and training in yarnfield too. So must be all yarnfield the induction is Apparantly for a week and then training for 5! They seen my passport at interview stage also but I sent the document numbers off again on Friday..

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

i'm at yarnfield they saw my passport and drivers licence at interview as well,but need security to generate contract i think .

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

From what I can gather from it the one man installers will be working in people's houses so needed security checks or crb checks and roll they gave me overhead is out of house so no more checks needed hence me being sent to harrogate which I checked out and seems mostly focused on telegraph pole training from what ive seen. Yarnfield would of been cool more or less local compared to harrogate but got to be done lol

---------- Post added at 22:10 ---------- Previous post was at 22:07 ----------

Either that or I'm missing an email....hope not lol

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

The contracts should tell us what sort of days we be working and hours and stuff I assume too

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

You'll be in a nice hotel in Harrogate with everything paid for, enjoy! I actually prefer the facilities there to Yarnfield also. They will pay for your chosen means of travel, don't worry about that.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Should get some of your contracts this week lads surely..

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Haha im due to drive down to stone tomorrow from scotland ive still not been given contract or car hire details and i cant get hold of anyone on the phone!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Hello fellas, Just wondering how long it took for the email with the interview results to come through? Had my final interview week before last and felt it went really well have lots of fibre and ethernet experience.

Tying myself in knots lol waiting for the email to drop in with a yes or nope lol i guess bank holiday will slow things up a little bit

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

I haven't given my notice in yet and I don't feel comfortable doing it when I am waiting for the contract �� this is torture lol!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Good luck i start tomorrow and still dont have a contract

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

how long afte rthe interview did was it before you got the offer mate? sorry for double post lol doing somersaults here haha

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

3 days mate but they said up to a month

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Cheers Bacon, 3 days wow.. they did say up to 4 weeks to be fair and i think they were interview all last week... just feels like forever lol want putting out of my misery

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Yea no wonder. Give it a couple of weeks and if you havent heard phone them

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

doing me nut in now i would at least like to know what the salary is.wheres the contract lol..

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Have you had your line managers name and phone number yet lads?

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Mine took 3 weeks mate. Catch train tonight and still no contract and still no idea If the salary has changed lol. Unbelievable.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Anyone else had the disclosure Scotland forms yet to accept our contracts how confusing is it jheeze. apparently there facilities to use at yarnfield to do our application. Also I haven't got a clue what a disclosure Scotland certificate is tbf lol

---------- Post added at 10:54 ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 ----------

I'll add it wasn't forms it was an email from openreach confirming what we need to take with us to fill it out and,send them off.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

If you routinely work with children or adults classed as "vulnerable" then your employer has to be satisfied that you haven't been legally barred from doing such work, or have anything in your history that might make you an unacceptable risk. In Scotland, it's Disclosure Scotland that does background checks. In England and Wales it's the Disclosure and Barring Service.

I guess as you go into homes where there are kids, elderly or disabled people, then BT wants to be satisfied that there is no reason why you shouldn't. Your Disclosure certificate will tell them that.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Ahh cheers bud wish I'd of had it earlier it says it could take 14 days to be processed. Gonna have,to do it at yarnfield then and use a scanner.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Hi All, I've been offered a job with Kellys for overhead engineer with the BT Open-reach contract,
what should I expect with the training and then the shadowing the engineer ?

I'm in the Birmingham area.

I know the pay wont be good for the first few months but what's everyone's opinions ?
Regards
Marc

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

no

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

Now then all, been watching this thread for a while, i'm starting on the 22nd Sept at yarn field as a OMI for Openreach, massive step as i've been a chef for 19 years! didn't have anyone to talk to about it and haven't spoken to anyone R.E contract or any further info on the job! would be great to find out bits as and when you guys find out, all the best, speak soon!

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

No the vans you get should be the ones you keep. Hopefully it's a nice one and not a banger! It does make a difference day to day I think.

Re: Kelly's BT Openreach Engineers
 

So as this title thread dictates is this all about Kelly's ??