I wanna be an NTL engineer.

[jimboozer]

Hello,

I would like to study to become an Engineer for NTL or Telewest. I am wondering what kind of qualifications are needed and what kind of knowledge you need of telecoms systems? I was told I would need TV experience and RF?? is RF some sort of antenna cable? As you can see I'm not very knowledgeable on TV or telecoms systems and wouldnt mind a pointer where to find info on it.
What does an NTL engineer do on a daily basis anyway?

[qasdfdsaq]

RF = Radio Frequency

e.g. how signals are transmitted down cable lines (kinda ironic...)

So obviously they want you to know how the cable network works...
I don't know much about where to find the info, but I imagine (know) that there a few HNC's/HND's available from various polytechnics...

[Andy E]

Speaking as an ex-ntl engineer my advice is dont ......
But if you must try doing a FND in telecoms like this http://www.eaifhe.ac.uk/New%20Course...%20Telecom.htm
Or you could apply for a job as an installer, though most of these are done by sub-contractors, who are overworked and underpaid and treated like *****e by ntl http://www.mcnicholas.co.uk/home/default.htm
There are no real qualifictions needed to be an installer except for a clean driving license, training is done by sending you out with a competent install crew for a few weeks.
"What does an NTL engineer do on a daily basis anyway?"
As little as possible .........


Andy E
ntl pirate

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Andy E

Speaking as an ex-ntl engineer my advice is dont ......
But if you must try doing a FND in telecoms like this http://www.eaifhe.ac.uk/New%20Course...%20Telecom.htm
Or you could apply for a job as an installer, though most of these are done by sub-contractors, who are overworked and underpaid and treated like *****e by ntl http://www.mcnicholas.co.uk/home/default.htm
There are no real qualifictions needed to be an installer except for a clean driving license, training is done by sending you out with a competent install crew for a few weeks.
"What does an NTL engineer do on a daily basis anyway?"
As little as possible .........


Andy E
ntl pirate

I understand there could be some openings/opportunities in the Celtic region shortly!

[Peter Litler]

There is a training course at North Lincolnshire College for those wishing to learn the technical skills required to enter the cable tv and telecoms industry.
You can obtain a free information pack from:
Cable Television and Telephony Training Services Ltd
300 Skellingthorpe Road
Lincoln
LN6 0EX

Telephone:01522 880900

http://www.cable-training.co.uk

[Andy E]

Originally Posted by Escapee

I understand there could be some openings/opportunities in the Celtic region shortly!

lo m8
lol
AndyE
ntl pirate

[Marge]

Originally Posted by Andy E

What does an NTL engineer do on a daily basis anyway?"
As little as possible .........

Having just spent the morning with an install guy I'm sorry but he worked his socks off. I think he did a brilliant job and I liked being his little gofer Handy hint for new customers being installed, make sure you move the TV and settees/chairs out of the way so the chap can actually get to the wall to do the install, doing a Mr Shifter when the tech arrives just wastes loads of time

[Andy E]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Having just spent the morning with an install guy I'm sorry but he worked his socks off. I think he did a brilliant job and I liked being his little gofer Handy hint for new customers being installed, make sure you move the TV and settees/chairs out of the way so the chap can actually get to the wall to do the install, doing a Mr Shifter when the tech arrives just wastes loads of time

please note the smile at the end of that comment .... it was meant to be a joke ...... I know how hard they work.. I used to be 1

Andy E
ntl pirate

[Marge]

Originally Posted by Andy E

please note the smile at the end of that comment .... it was meant to be a joke ...... I know how hard they work.. I used to be 1

Andy E
ntl pirate

I did see it but posted for the benefit of people who think they are just lazy sods (which is what I used to think )

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

I did see it but posted for the benefit of people who think they are just lazy sods (which is what I used to think )

Was this some kind of work shadowing thing?

[Marge]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Was this some kind of work shadowing thing?

Yeah, I asked to do this to get an idea of how things are done on installs, opened my eyes

[the jackel]

Originally Posted by Escapee

I understand there could be some openings/opportunities in the Celtic region shortly!

looking at the Jobs page on the intranet there a quite a few tech jobs advertised around the country!

[MovedGoalPosts]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Yeah, I asked to do this to get an idea of how things are done on installs, opened my eyes

For the better or worse? Or perhaps that would be saying too much

[Marge]

Originally Posted by MovedGoalPosts

For the better or worse? Or perhaps that would be saying too much

Has put the lads in a better light

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by the jackel

looking at the Jobs page on the intranet there a quite a few tech jobs advertised around the country!

I dont think I would fancy being a service or network tech at ntl these days, I guess it must be difficult completing eleven customer calls a day in 8 hours.
These calls can also be spread over quite a large are, one of my old collegues from ntl said one tech was starting in Newport, 2 calls in Cwmbran, 2 calls in Penarth and then 2 calls in Barry, If you know the area you will no doubt be shocked that ntl think thats possible.


After that he would then have to call in for his afternoon calls

Its all apparently Quota driven and customers are getting repeat calls because there is just no time to fix the faults the first time around.
The amount of techs off sick in that area are also adding extra pressure to the ones still in work.