Working as a tech for VM
 

does anyone know if you need any job related experience to work for VM as a Tech or Installer ? i would like to apply for the mentioned positions. i am good with IT and can fix cable issues and understand how the whole network operates so can i apply and receive the training or do i need to have worked for another cable or satellite company previously ?

I really fancy a career with VM doing repairs or something !

Any help would be really appreciated !

(P.S. i hope this post us in the right place)


Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Virgin media are going to employ swing tecs this year have already started a few last year if you go to VM web site they have a page on jobs you can have them email you if a job comes up in your aera. If you go with the contractor be prepaired to work very hard all training will be given.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Thanks for the heads up ! i will register my interest now :)

it would be a perfect job for me !

Impz !

;)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

hi,

Sorry to bump a really old post but this is still relevent. I have applied for a job as a field tech @ VM. yes i know alot of you will think i am suffering from insanity but i really do want to work for them !

My question is do the field techs get to take the van home with them ? the reason i ask is the closest VM center is leeds or north bradford and i need to know if i would have to drive my car there everyday or weather i could just take a van and go straight to my first job on a morning ? Obviously this is all just speculation until i know if i have passed the first stage of the recruitment process but fingers crossed !

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Hmm I doubt it, when I went out for a day with a tech he picked up the van from the tech building.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Being good in IT is not the main factor to be a technical support... Good in skills in customer service and tons of patience is what you need..

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

As far as I know, the techs take their vans home every night.
But, they dont get private use of the vans.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Hence my 2 years experience working for The Carphone Warehouse during the early days of TalkTalk. Beleive me i have dealt with every type of customer complaint known to man. I feel my skillset is ideal for this job i have tonnes of customer facing experience.

Thanks for the info Mikey. i have my own car so the van would just be used to get to and from work !

I got a telephone interview this evening! ;)

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

LEt us know how it pans out

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

i got through the telephone interview and then got through the one 2 one interview and then they said sorry but there is no longer any jobs available but we will keep your details, that was 18 months ago lol.:)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

You should try Sky mate. My cousin works for Sky as an installer, he got great training, get's great benefits too. He worked for the first six months contracted and then was employed directly by Sky. Does about 6/7 jobs a day and is on a good wage too. As far as i'm aware vm are on taking on contractors and not employing anyone as perm. Most of their tech work force is now contracted. With them you don't get any benefits at all like free sevice. My mate worked for Avonline about 2 years a go and he was constantly having his wages docked for missing boxes that were still in his van etc. New born baby on the way and most months he ended up owing money because they always had ways of docking his wages. In the end he quite and joined the building trade. My cousin can't speak highly enough of Sky.

---------- Post added at 18:57 ---------- Previous post was at 18:55 ----------

Technician lives 3 streets away from me and he always has a van outside his house, don't know if he works for there fault fixing side or their install side though. I guess you must be able to drive em home.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

With regards to the text I have put in bold, the opposite is true, they are taking on 200 apprentices and perm staff. Also you take your van home but have no private use.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Dealing with customers in person is totally different if you are dealing with customers over the phone, ehere they are free to say what they want to say...

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

They are taking a lot of techs on this year in some areas to repalce techs that have left and been replaced by contractors as a temp measure .You take the van home with you as you work frome home but new starters a not allowed to use the van for private use .The interview process involves a phone interview about 1 hour then if you shine you will be asked to come to a open day where you will be interviewed again and dome so tests:)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I passed my telephone interview last night so i just need to wait to be called for an assesment !

Im not applying to be in a call center im applying to be a field tech which obviously does include dealing with people face to face so i do have the experience.

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Congratulations for getting through the first interview. Good luck on the Open Day. Do you have any idea when it will be?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Good to see then because as when my friend worked there, there was no chance of any permenant positions. Probably down to the whole merger and restructure of the company thing then.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Why do you want to work for VM?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

is the answer 4?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Impz, but if you do already yourself or if it's something you've considered... i'd like to know :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Im not sure what your asking me there ? care to expand ?

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

the idea behind wanting to become a VM techie.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

You can use the van privately if you opt in for private use ,but then you do have to pay for the use in being taxed for it and the fuel .

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

of course..

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

New starters are not given the option to use the van for private use :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I like meeting people and i like helping people sort their problems. Plus i have a good knowledge of cable in general and i think it will be fun ! it just sounds like something i would really enjoy !

Plus the money aint bad either :)

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

if you say so.... :p:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

What happens on these open days then, Is it shirt and tie time or are they more informal? and what sort of things do they ask you? I need to know as i have just passed my telephone interview and am just waiting on the assesment!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I am an in house service tech and have been for 12 years.
Yes YOU DO take your van home, its your office on wheels!. New starters ARE NOT allowed private use of the van though.
All mileage for new starters is classed as business, ie, home to first job business, last job to home business.
The vans have trackers fitted to them so be warned, do not use your van on your day off!!
Cheers
;)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

and what those "trackers" do... is a different story. ;)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

There is nothing sinister in the trackers - they have been fitted to allow dynamic routing of jobs, a duty of care to know where field techs are in the field.... people need to stop taking a dark view!!

Good luck to those who have applied - we need more upbeat, dynamic and enthusiatic guys out there dealing with customers!!

With regards to dress code smart casual is fine for open day... shirts, ties, suits not required.. but wouldn't suggest jeans and trainers.

I don't know the detail of on the day.... but it will not be difficult or complex... just be yourself... think about past achievements and customer interaction... a basic technical knowledge is required as is a diagnostic style of thinking.

As I say good luck to all!!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

you've got 2 posts and know an awful lot. who's we? who's taking a dark view? :LOL:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

How long do you usually have to wait for the assessment? I passed my telephone interview about three weeks ago and i am starting to get a bit worried that they have forgotten me!!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

don't worry i passed mine about 7 month's ago still not got anything, they do phone from time to time to see if i'm still interested but they haven't got anything down south :td:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

the trackers are very sinister and they are not being used for dynamic tracking

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

do you have one?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

its getting off topic but yes i do

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

it's not getting off-topic. i'm asking if you have a tracker fitted into your van and you've just said you do... whydoineedatech ;)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

All company cars vans wil have trackers its company policy .Good luck to those who have got through to the next stage :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

poor chap :D

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

no reply?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

We have had 1 new starter and they are looking for another 3 for this area :D

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

No they dont, unless you just mean install vehicles.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

The company that supplies the trackers has a huge order for all company cars and vans .The headend tech has had one fitted planners have had them fitted all buisness techs in cars and vans have had them fitted .The bloke who was fitting them said its a huge contract .Looks like sales is next as he said he had a load of corsas and astras to do next :confused:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

poor chap. :p:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Ive just started for Avonline in the south.

Going from what ive heard, there are two sides of the guys in the vans. Installers and service techs. The service techs (down here) drive Vauxhall vivaro's (or what ever) and are employed by Virgin. The installes drive Transits are employed by Avonline.

I know the transits are fitted with the trackers, im not sure if they are checked or what but I hear about guys using them for personal use and have got away with it.

So far im enjoying the job, Its great. Dont get me wrong there are alot of jobs to do and you need to get your skates on so to speak but then again, you have jobs to do in a certain time frame so thats fair enough.

Ive only been there a week and enjoy it so far. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and If i can, ill answer!

All the best!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

two pieces of aluminum foil and its no longer a tracker ,its a non functioning plastic box:angel:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

and then you get a phone call asking you to call back at the yard

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

They allow dynamic routing of jobs... you should go and tell that to despatch in Dudley.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

If you can get through on the phone! They've changed the music though... which is a plus! :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

fleet management is what it is.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

The pda system is only being used by Installs and service to dish out jobs .Networks and Business its a expensive Tom Tom as they dont know if it will work for them.Has anyone had any news after the phone interview and been told to come for a interview at a open day ?:)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

they using Kelly at your place?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Yes

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Service start in Sept i think it was Aug as for installs they have been told Oct :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

started my first day trainin today as a service tech, got my uniform but the boots are horrible so heavy. i gonna purchase my own steel toes boots.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Are you enjoying it :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Did u get given the Almar boots? they are heavy and huge. Ive got size 11 feet and its like having football pitch on the end of your toes lol

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I would like to know how the trainning goes.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

yea the training is really good, im training at the kellys site at edmonton, north london. 1st and 2nd day is an intro to the Virgin brand which is good, yesterday i done Health and Safety, and today it was Road Safety which was also good. For both Health & Road Safety you get a City & Guilds Certificate which you can use for future Construction Jobs and other careers involving them (if you move on from Virgin that is).


Tommorow i have RF training which im not sure what it is. Then next week im out on the field Shadowing a experienced tech for a week, then im back to college for 2 weeks (last week involves your final assesement).

Im quite lucky because im local to the training center but other guys there are from all over the country so they are staying in a hotel, but they are enjoying themselves.

yea im size 11,

these are the boots everyone at the training centre have :-

http://www.dickiesstore.co.uk/workwe...ots/fa23200/0/

WORD OF WARNING WHEN ORDERING UNIFORM ALWAYS ORDER YOUR TROUSERS A SIZE BIGGER BECAUSE THEY COME UP TIGHT!!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

thats a cracker. notice board here we come :LOL:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

LOL I cant say I had that problem with my trousers. If anything they are a little baggy haha

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

i hope your arse crack isn't on show. i might faint :p:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Hahaha. No, my baggy shirt and HiViz covers that ;) haha

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

ah. i see :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

How come it takes so long to get an assessment date? I passed the telephone interview 6 weeks ago and have not heard a thing. On the website it said the closing date was the 31st of july. I dont think its right that they leave people hanging for so long!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I feel a bit daft now as they have just phoned me for an assessment next Friday, in Nottingham of all places! So thats a couple of hours drive for me then ha ha. Does anyone here know of any hotels near the notts forest football ground which is where the day is taking place?

also could anyone tell me what to expect on the day as i have no clue about what goes on and i need to prepare myself big time!!!!!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Have yo ugot a long wat to go ? :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

All the way from sunny bradford!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

vince vega I've got my Field Tech assessment there Friday as well. Beginning to panic now and do not have a clue what to expect so any advice would be greatly received. Best of luck vince vega.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Where are you coming from kenzer? My butterflies are getting bigger by the day lol!

All the best to you too mate!

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

All the way from Mansfield(15 miles away)..Vince do you have any experience in this field? I'm a sheet metal worker/welder by trade, so feel that I could possibly be an underdog. Fingers crossed anyway. Just dreading being sent home after a couple of hours(plus losing a days work).

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

No experience as such but i am quite savvy when it comes to all things tv, pc and internet related (all my friends and family come to me for help!). I am from the catering industry and just fancied a total change of career after 15 years of juggling pans!:cool: How come you are wanting to leave your industry??

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Same here mate 18 years i've given sheet metal work, plus I suffer mild asthma(which doesn't mix well with welding). I'm not going to get disheartened though if I don't get it, currently doing the CISCO course so I'll work towards something in that area.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Good luck to those going to the assement on Friday:)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Thanks Ned Kelly:)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Well i have just received an email and i didn't get the job! To say i am naffed off is an understatement. I cant imagine what else i could have done or said in the assessment process! Oh well back to the drawing board

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Vince,

I was at the assesment too, its Andy here i think we went for the same job. I also didnt get it and to be honest i thought i gave it my all. I dont want to sound cocky but what standards are they after because i feel i was everything they needed for the role and i didnt put a foot wrong and i didnt get it. Im really gutted as it was something i was really excited about !

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Impz,

I feel exactly the same way about this as you do. Also i feel after all the effort we put in driving down there (at todays petrol prices), paying to stay in a travelodge and all the other expenses incurred i feel we deserved a bit more than just a standard email telling us to get stuffed. I too was so exited about this and really looking forward to the challenge but alas it was not to be! Is it Andy who had to describe a spoon? If you were in my group i had to describe a cereal bowl which was fun!

that said it was a fun day all in all and i met some really nice people too!

mark.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

yeah i was the spoon guy !

i feel used and annoyed. in total the event cost me around £120 quid and i an annoyed that they didnt even have the decency to speak to me in person. i rang paul coombs to request some feedback and i left a message on his voicemail but still heard nothing !

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Hey there spoon guy,


I bet that brown nose vincent fella got it! He was up all the virgin guys ring pieces the minute we all turned our backs!


The vacancy for bradford south was in all probabillity filled when we all arrived in nottingham as i bet it went to the friend of a current field tech........what do you think impz?


Anyway I think i am going to phone Mr coombs now to see if i get a response (which i doubt very much)


speak soon,

mark.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

i just spoke to paul coombs and he is going to ring me back tommorrow to give me some feedback. i am really really gutted as i know i would have been brilliant at the job and would have really enjoyed it. i have a good technical knowledge and also i am a very good people person. i just feel so hollow about it all i gave it my all and they just send me a poxy email telling me i didnt get it. i want to know why and that is exactly what i will be asking Paul when he rings me tommorrow. i hope you feel better about it soon mate it seems such a shame thier recruitment is so one sided. I tried my best and it obviously wasnt good enough !

Impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I have just left a voice message on Paul Coombs answer phone and i also fired off an email to him so lets see what that brings! Let me know what he says to you impz will you?

Mark.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

yeah i will keep you informed mate :)

impz

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

If Mark(vince) & Andy(Impz) didn't get a job, I didn't stand a cat in hells chance(Andy sellotape guy).
Really sorry to hear Mark, that brown nose toss*r Vincent if I remember rightly had a friend who was a tech area supervisor or something.

It all leaves a bad taste in my mouth to be honest. Feels like we give it our all for non-existent jobs. I wouldn't of attended if I'd known how much 'off the cuff' selling was involved(not my forte).

To be honest, the next day I'd decided it wasn't the job I expected or wanted(I thing the 12 calls a day put me off, the salary and the way they have treated people).

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Hey kenzer hows things? (bowl guy here!) So out of our group of 5 we now know at least 4 of us didn't even get a sniff.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I have spoken to paul coombes and he said it was purely down to points and points alone. He did say that in my interview the assessors had to ask me to clarify a couple of answers for them and i lost points on that (although they still got the same answers so go figure) Also he said the quality of candidates was the best he had seen for a long time.
You would have thought that if we were all so good they would keep our names on file but oh no we have to go through the whole rigmarole if we want to apply again!

Then to rub salt into the wounds my mum had to have an tech out to sort her v+ box and she said he was rude, ignorant and could hardly string a sentence of english together ( well a sentence that didn't consist of grunts and sighs) so how the f**k did he get a job over us guys?????????

rant over!!
speak soon guys
mark

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

its nice of you to be so gracious :erm:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Have you read the rest of the thread? if you did you would know why we are a bit miffed! Plus if you aint got anything to say its better not said.........:erm:

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

ive read the thread you didnt get the job and now your bad mouthing vm techs, so imo the correct decision was made.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I was not bad mouthing, i was stating a fact from someones latest experience of dealing with a vm tech. I don't doubt he can do his job well but apparently his attitude stank.

This type of discussion is what forums are for are they not? At the min this is discussing why we think vm recruitment is a tad dodgy, so you wouldn't come here and expect all positive comments would you?

Yes i am a bit peeved about the whole affair but i will get over it! Like impz i am over £100.00 (plus a days holiday) down for absolutely nothing to show for it apart from an automated e-mail telling us where to get off and all i said is that it would have been nice to get a phone call at least.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

to be fair people should of been told on the day,and given reasons.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Are there any new starters on here willing to let us know how your getting on?

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Used to work for them about 2 yrs ago. At the time we were given the options of transfering to the contractors or resigning as they said redundancy was not an option. This must have been illegal as voluntary redundancy was then offered. It was such a great company to work for that everybody took redundancy, which i have no regrets. Reading the comments it looks like nothings changed and the tech that just grunted and groaned, has probably been there a while now and has been ground down. What you've been through with them already should serve as a warning. If you want to be a tec register with Sky, also keep an eye out for Openreach jobs.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Been there a while now and love it. done a range of things, and the whole training thing opened my eyes to how much is really involved in the job. Im out and about in my van, installing and sorting out problems. Its great. Can see myself being here for a long time.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

You haven't given many specifics.

It's this time of year and you have to be on your first job by 8 am. You get up at 6 and leave home at 6.30 getting to the yard at 7 to pick up your supplies, so that you can be at your first job at the appointed time. You have 8 jobs to do that day (4 am's 4 pm's). 2 triple installs (tv, phone and modem), 3 duals (2 tv and phone, 1 modem and phone) and 3 singles (2 tv and 1 phone). The first job is a triple in a terrace (no cellar), TV in back room along with the phone, modem in the front bedroom, customer also says that she asked for an phone ext in the front bedroom although it is not on your order (this you might as well do rather than spend 20 mins trying to get through to the office to confirm, when all they will do is add it to the order). The floors are all wooden, how would you wire this job, how long would you expect it to take, what signal levels are you expecting at cab, drop box and STB (you have 3 more morning jobs to do after this). What time do you complete your jobs. Your line manager will not get you any help if you fall behind and they will not pay overtime (you stay till the finish because you don't like letting people down, knowing that they have probably taken a day of work). Oh and its your fault if you don't take your dinner because we do allow half an hour during your for this.

You say you install and correct things. Contractors do the installing and in house do the service and repair.

I did say i was there 2 yrs ago, so granted things may have changed and if they have i appologize for my tone. I was there for over 7 yrs.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I am a contractor, as said, I work for Avonline. We also do service and repair.

I dont know how things was done at your place of work but its much more relaxed than what you have described, we have a brilliant team who are willing to help others out when they fall behind.

Are your questions retorical? are you telling me a story?

I think Your tone is a bit OTT, but you have to remember each area is different. Im fully aware of the the work load. I wasnt sent right into training and then let loose, I have been out with other guys for a few months as a trainee.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

I did think my tone was a bit strong, which is why i did appologize. Yes every area is different, but it does not sound like Avonline are the contactors where they applied, they must of known how much it cost them for the day and should have done more than send out a blanket e-mail to all those that were denied. It sounds like they had already decided who they wanted before the day started and they could probably guess who got the position. You paint a fantastic picture and i paint the opposite, the truth is its probably somewhere in between. I did enjoy the work, but the management isn't the best. The contractors where i worked were treated appallingly. I suppose it all depends on which contrator you are working for.

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

:)

All Im going by is my own experience, I enjoy my job, I really do, and there are more of us down here that enjoy it. So they tell me. We have a fantastic team down here, couldnt be working with more down to earth, knowledgeable people. Management wise, well, I've got two of the best bosses I could ever ask for.

But again, like you said, all depends on the area and the contractor :)

Re: Working as a tech for VM
 

Will any of the announced redundancies affect any of the field techs?