Openreach Employment

Hi Guys,

Been through the application and assessment process and was verbally offered a position for a Home Engineer and that my training would start in a few months time. However, I have since received notification via email that no positions are available in my region (North West) at this time? The email didnt provide any further information as to what my position is now in respect of a fresh starting date. Is this the normal practice with Openreach recruitment, as anyone else had this same situation arise and did they eventually commence employment with them. It all seems a bit strange to me given Openreach are part of such a large organisation and that a position was offered in the first instance? I've never experienced such a situation which is both disappointing and so confusing.

Edited by deleted (Sun 03-Apr-16 10:04:23)

Hello! I don't know if I can help but they kept me on file for 1 year and I am about to start training so if there is no space now in your area, chances are they will keep you in mind if one does arise and keep you in file. They seem to be recruiting heavily again so try not to be disheartened and my fingers are crossed that you do hear back from them again soon

Jenny

Thanks for responding Jenny and your support contained therein. Wow, a year! Was that after passing the assessment or submitting your application? The frustrating thing for me has been that after attending my assessment and receiving a phone call several days later verbally congratulating and offering me a position and a start date to commence training, I then received an unexpected email a week later advising me that no positions were available in my region? It does seem very unprofessional to send out mixed messages which leaves you not knowing when or even if, they are going to offer anything else and whether or not that the new offer will be withdrawn also. It's the not knowing.

Edited by deleted (Sun 10-Apr-16 09:15:04)

I wonder if it is possible to volunteer for another region, particularly one where you may have relatives, thinking of accommodation for a clearly longish period, posssibly a year or two?

Oh dear that's not good news!
I've done all that what you have and had the phone call and I'm due to start training on the 9th of May, I hope I don't get a similar email saying there's no longer any positions!
If I were you I'd email back and query them about it saying you were told you got a job and then had that email and just wanted it explaining a bit better.
Hopefully it works out well for you!

It sounds like they messed up a little there. You shouldn't have been invited to the assessment if they had no spaces but I guess sometimes things just go wrong somewhere along the way. I guess all it takes is 1 person to fill a spot and boom, someone else is pushed back. Lets hope you are first in line if essentially you passed and are good to go? I would chase it up to establish if you are held on file now you have passed or what to expect next?

I waited 1 year to hear from them and be invited to an assessment day which happened all quite quickly. I would have started earlier but had holiday in the wrong time so they didn't want me to start and have a holiday in the middle of training so pushed me back to start a little later.

I am just trying to understand a few more things such as pay... does it go up annually or just stay the same and how likely is it that you reach the OTE salary reaching the targets. It could mean an extra £100 or so each month.

I have so many questions but I guess all will be answered when i start training week after next

Jenny

Yea and apologies to the forum mods but there really is lots of questions! I'm not starting until June 13th and have done all my document scanning/form filling but there are so many things I'd like to know and I cant find anywhere where its being talked about other than here! Lol!

It has taken me a year to just get to the assessment which happens tomorrow and I'm a nervous wreck. I'm now even more nervous because of what has happened to you. When was your assessment? What area are you in? I would email them and question it just so you get some answer and know where you stand, nothing worse than not knowing.

I agree!
This forum has gave me more answers than anywhere else.... And then they go and close it down!
Why close a popular forum down?
The layout of the general broadband chatter page is daft too, instead of being like a normal forum and just showing the title of the thread and when it was last posted in.. It seems to show a massive long list which apparently is each and every post so yeah that's understandable as to why the thread was too large but just change the format on that main page and it won't look that way!

Take a look at the display preferences at the bottom of the "My Home" tab.

I have:-
Active in the last week
Flat mode
Collapsed threads
Parent posts per page 99
Posts per page in Flat mode 99

I also use My Home with about 21 forums listed in the Favourite forums box, rather than the slow-loading Main Index.

In reply to a post by DanJC:

I agree!
This forum has gave me more answers than anywhere else.... And then they go and close it down!
Why close a popular forum down?

They closed a thread, not a forum. They tend to do that when the thread gets too long - see Mr Saffron's post near the end of the thread, saying that the topic can still be debated - presumably it causes problems in overloading their back-end system, so they'd rather you start a fresh thread, and (if needed) add a link back to a post in the original thread.

In reply to a post by DanJC:

The layout of the general broadband chatter page is daft too, instead of being like a normal forum and just showing the title of the thread and when it was last posted in.. It seems to show a massive long list which apparently is each and every post so yeah that's understandable as to why the thread was too large but just change the format on that main page and it won't look that way!

You can change the format of the home page, and change the format of the way an individual thread/post appears when clicked.

For the home page, there is a button near the top where you can swap between "Expanded" or "Collapsed" view. Use that to swap - or, as RobertoS points out, alter your personalised settings.

For a thread/post, you can swap between "Threaded" and "Flat" view.

Like RobertoS, I use the Collapsed and Flat views by default.

Closing long threads is more to do with users paging through than a problem on the back end. A lot of people have the default forum settings so even in flat mode they have a lot of pages when a thread gets long. So, to improve the user experience the thread is closed and people can then create a part 2/3/4/etc to continue the conversation.

rather than the slow-loading Main Index.

Dead quick here Bob, you sure you have your micro filters set up correctly ?

As the others have correctly replied, the Openreach employment thread was getting unwieldy.

It was also kinda off topic for the 'general broadband chatter' section heading too if you think about it.

Most folk come here seeking advice on broadband issues, not 'Top Tips on getting a role within Openreach'.

Good luck anyway.

Ok thanks to all that replied, I didn't realise I could change the display preferences of the forum.
And yes my bad.. The forum wasn't closed but the thread was.. I should have added thread in there.
And yes I agree, it is a bit off topic but having scoured the net for tips from like-minded people who have or are going through the same process, this forum (the old thread) kept popping up and to be honest it's been the most helpful!

And everyone is happy for the conversation to carry on and I am sure wishes anyone applying for new jobs the best of luck.

I went to assessment and thought I did ok but then I received this email that I didn't get the job. Sounds like a copy/paste email that they send to those they reject rather than a personalised email to myself, right? I mean they didn't address the email to me by name, it just says "Hi".

Extremely disappointed that I didn't get the role as I think I would have been good at it (service delivery engineer, mostly working alone). I am used to working alone from home, most of my time stuck in front of a computer screen (hate it) and the hours are very long ,I don't have time to get out much so I'm not exactly the best at talking in social situations. Anyone can go out of practice from talking in social situations but it easily comes back once your situation changes. I am working at home most of the time and when I am not I spend all of the rest of my time with my partner and our baby girl.

I have nearly 20 years experience in working with computers and the internet problems. I can fix all manner of faullts with a computer and network and I am very experienced at dealing with internet connection issues. The only thing I don't have experience in is dealing with faults that are outside of the property but obviously they train you for that.

I fear that lack of social ease hasn't done me any favours in helping to give the best impression of myself during the interview. Not saying that I did really badly or anything, I thought it didn't go too badly, just that I could have said some things a bit better and presented myself better if I had more practice in these situations. During the interview especially I tend to panic and my focus can be distracted by that, which doesn't help me at all as I am unable to think clearly and also gives the impression that I am not at ease. I have A grade GCSE's that I got from last year on an adult course so it's not that I'm dense, just a bit socially unpracticed. I can hold a conversation but I could be better at it and I am sure I would be if I didn't have to spend 10+ hours a day looking at a computer screen, which is awful for your health, both physical and mental.

One thing that I wonder about is might they get back in touch with me in the future or is this a final rejection? Because it says "unfortunately we will not be progressing with your application at this time" But it also says I can re-apply to start the process again in 6 months time. Here is the email they sent me:

Hi,

Thank you so much for the time you spent recently with us during our assessment centre. We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did getting to meet you.

As you know the day was designed for us to test your fit against our roles through a number of key activities. These came with instructions provided to follow on our skills test (rather than testing technical knowledge) as well as through detailed interviews. Hiring the right individuals for our business and our customers is key and we use these activities to give us some insight into how people will perform through our challenging training period, and ultimate success in the role. We have high standards and expectations from these days and look for people to meet those across all activities.

Despite the fact you demonstrated a number of the key skills we look for in our engineers, I�m sorry to say that unfortunately we will not be progressing with your application at this time. For us unfortunately it was during your interviews where we struggled to get the best from you on the day and failed to reach the standards we expect from any new recruit. Evidencing an ability to adapt to a customer�s needs with the same enthusiasm, passion and understanding of demands as our current engineers is paramount for success and we are really keen to find people who can demonstrate a true desire to work for Openreach to be the brand ambassadors we need them to be, whilst articulating this desire through their interviews.

Sorry if this isn�t the news you would have liked to have heard but if you are still interested in working for Openreach you are more than welcome to reapply in six months� time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for all your participation during your journey so far, and good luck for the future in your career.

Many thanks

Edited by deleted (Mon 11-Apr-16 17:18:38)

Hi sini, sorry to hear you didn't make it through.

About the part where you said the email wasn't very personal to you and just said 'hi'
When they emailed me asking if I was still interested and when I was free to do a short telephone interview, that email wasn't very formal either and just said hi! I thought it was a clever spam email at first but turned out it wasn't!

I think it is a final rejection, as far as I'm aware and like it says in the email.. You can re-apply in 6 months. So you'd have to go on the careers website and actually do the application again and go through the whole process again.

I can't be sure on anything that they're after but I can't help but feel something that also may have let you down is actual face to face relations with a customer.. Along the same lines of like you were saying you're good on your own but not exactly the best in social situations... I feel they'll look for people who ARE good in social situations and face to face customer service.
It's something I got told before my assessment day that they are super crazy on good customer service (or trying to be).

Don't give up though, try again in 6 months, this time you'll be prepared!

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

rather than the slow-loading Main Index.

Dead quick here Bob, you sure you have your micro filters set up correctly ?

My Home, less than a second. Main Index ~ 3 seconds.

My Home, less than a second. Main Index ~ 3 seconds.

Weird, Main Index less 3.4 seconds for me .......

So mine is slightly faster than yours.

However, my opinion was formed when on 5-5.5Mbps ADSL2+. It was much slower on that.

Try and mark all forums as read. Will speed the index up massively.

Matt

Thanks, I know . But I'm only interested in the 19 I monitor. (Just counted, as it used to be 21).

If I decide to post in the Sport forum, or see if there is anything about something that has interested me in the last couple I'd days, I just take a look and add anything I spot to favourite threads for a week or so. Similarly if I follow a link from one of the 19 to another forum - "Favourite" the thread if I feel like it.

Hi Guys,
Please try and keep this thread on topic RE: Openreach Employment for the benefit of those not yet employed or just starting out.

Many Thanks

Shlonger

Oops, sorry!

I had been thinking of posting in the original thread just before it was locked that it was one of the best, friendliest and most encouraging I have seen for a long time. I hope this continues in the same way.

For the benefit of others like you, the previous thread, which contains a lot of useful information for applicants. (Best read in Flat mode using the settings I posted earlier in this one).

Is there a way to post a comment without having to reply to someone else's?

Just had a phonecall off a dodgey number that was in Wales, I don't answer them kinda numbers but the chap left a voicemail saying he was from openreach and to ring back. I rang a few times as the line was busy and when I finally got back he said it was about sorting getting to the training in May.. He said could he ring me back within half an hour so I'm currently waiting on that.
They told me if get this phonecall two weeks before but it's over 3 weeks til I start. Not complaining about it like, the more info the better.

If you mean in the same thread, then just click Reply to an earlier post. If you want to start a new thread then click Post at the top of the index of threads.

So had my assessment yesterday, I think all went well but you can never be to sure. Now just this waiting game, I hate it. How long did you guys wait roughly to hear back?

6 days in my case. Got told I passed the assessment (Yipee) and was offered a permanent position with training due to commence in June. Unfortunately it went down hill from there on in. Start date withdrawn, position withdrawn and now in complete limbo awaiting further information. Reason given was that there were no positions available. Very strange set up. Never known anything like it. Just sat by the phone, all finger nails gone, tense nervous headaches, sleepless nights, arguments with the other half. It better be worth the wait! Fingers crossed you get the nod!

Edited by deleted (Wed 13-Apr-16 12:29:08)

Yes I meant same thread, I know about pressing reply on an earlier post I was just asking if there was a way to do it without having to reply to someone else's post. As in what I post may not have anything to do with any of the earlier posts and replying to something someone else says might get them excited thinking I have an answer to a question they asked or something...... Nevermind.

I waited 3 days, assessment on the Tuesday and found out on the Friday I got the job.

I think it's disgusting telling somebody they've got the job and then letting them down! Totally think the recruitment needs a bit of a look at as you have to bring stuff in to the assessment day and get a photo took then when you get the job you have to send another photo and all the details again, not just that but the careers website asks you to complete certain tasks, then you get someone emailing you asking to do the same tasks and send them back to themselves... It's just all a bit unorganised!

However on a slightly more positive note, my train is booked for the Sunday before I start training.... Just 3 weeks and 4 days left!

Oh gosh that is so strange, especially to withdraw a position, what is you gave notice to the employer? When did you have your assessment? Did they say when they will get back to you? What part of the country are you in? I'm the same headaches and bag of nerves.

Well done, you must be excited and such a great opportunity! I think it needs looked at also, seems to be people who have had this happen to them. Well here's is hoping i hear by friday, it's going to be a very long wait

I got an email not long ago telling me i passed so on but they are finalising locations and hope to have this sorted by the end of april, im delighted but not at the same time.... little disappointed in a way!

So you passed the assessment . Congratulations and well done. Your worries starting in the previous thread were unfounded.

Whatever happens now about them finding you a post just remember that.

It's very odd that of the dozen or so in the first thread this "no vacancy in area" just didn't happen after the assessment, yet most in this thread are getting it. Weird .

Well done Kar87! Excellent news. I didnt have a job to give notice to but I have turned down several other opportunities based on being selected for postition with OR. I'm based in the Greater Manchester area and the information I have been given now alludes to May before I get any information regarding a further start date sometime further in the year but I cannot even take that seriously having been royally let down for a start date in June. Whatever date it will be (if at all) it will be well after that date as they appear to be giving 3-4 months in the future dates? Fingers crossed that you don;t suffer the same disappointment and that everything runs 'toot sweet' for you.

Edited by deleted (Wed 13-Apr-16 20:42:10)

Where in Manchester? I'm in Hazel Grove, 11 miles south.

Did you get to the stage of sending in ID info and references etc(completing pre employment tasks) before they told you they told you it was going to be longer? Im finding the lack of communication a tad worrying.

I just have a bad feeling it's going to be the same for me....but maybe not. Just seems strange to interview you but not have a job in place?? Feeling really disappointed right now rather than happy that I passed, just the way the email was worded. "end of April so hope to be in a position shortly afterwards to provide you with an update and where possible offer you a role" It just doesn't sound promising at all.

Wow. Reading the "end of April so hope to be in a position shortly afterwards to provide you with an update and where possible offer you a role" It just doesn't sound promising at all.

That is word for word what my email stated. It makes no committment to any job whatsoever and that is what I don't understand. Start date, no start date, be patient, way until May etc. etc.

You wouldn't be suprised if it was a 2 bit firm recruiting in that manner but a set up like BT. I've gone from being exstatic to being nothingness. It's almost like some sick joke. I starting to think that the orginal job offer was never available and they're just building up a 'pool' of people who they can tap into should needs be. You can't just hang around waiting for a call. I thought June was a long time to wait from being told I had a job, now its wait until May. What next... wait until August or even worse, 'were not recruiting anyone at the moment'?

No. At the assessment, photo taken by someone with an iphone, passport and other docs photocopied by someone else, interviewed twice, plug test, colour blindness test, then sent on my merry way.

Its been downhill ever since I'm afraid to say.

I think my problem is that i know someone who works as an engineer and he told me there is spaces a fair few actually and that was only a day before my assessment.

Your right it really does make no commitment at all and I have a feeling the update will be we are not recruiting right now. Honestly so down about it, I thought this was the start to a new career and I was so excited. Little scared to even look at my email any more!

Strange, I am in Highlands (Scotland) you are down Manchester, so it's like its a generic email that gets sent maybe? I'm just not to sure any more!

Its a bit brutal I must say! Keep thinking positively though! They're taking on 1300 people so I imagine that's a lot of admin work(a lot of it you have to do yourself) so that could explain why its all so slow.

Yeah, your right actually. But it would be much more professional if they gave some dates to work with (and not cancel them as in my case). Even if they said it will take 'X' amount of months, least it gives people something to work with. In this day of modern technology, it dosnt take a great deal of effort to attach a few forms to the emails they send out just to give you some direction as to how the recruitment process will go, rather than this piecemeal approach they seem to be taking?

I'm now going to go and sit in the Lotus Position in a darkend room, place a cold towel over my head and commence chanting 'every little 'ting' gonna be alright' ......

Edited by deleted (Thu 14-Apr-16 14:43:10)

I'm about to head off to start training and they have told me to bring a spare holdall for all my kit that will be issued and uniform. How much kit/uniform am I going to be issued and do i need a massive suitcase or a small holdall as there is only so much i can carry on a train to Yarnfield?!

I am actually starting to get nervous now... only really about the driving assessment funnily enough! I have driven vans for years but any tests involving driving make me fall apart as i hate being scrutinised. I know having had lots of training in the police service and out, I am a really good driver but parallel parking goes out the window especially if in a new vehicle you are not used to, even though i can do it with my eyes shut normally.

Oh well, can only do what I can do. Best brush up on the highway code, you think you know it and all the metres and distances etc can catch you out!

I have absolutely no idea what training consists of... diving into the complete unknown and I hear its pretty full on?

I got the same email that you got back in December saying they would update me in January.
I got another email in Jan saying they were still not ready and to wait til end of Feb. The final email in Feb offered me the job and I've now signed my contracts done all my checks and recieved an email last week saying everything is done and I'm ready to start. I start training in a few weeks.

So I wouldn't take the email too badly. I genuinely think they will get back to you with a place. Even if it takes months. They won't keep doing assessment days for your area if they have people who have passed waiting in the wings.

How much kit/uniform am I going to be issued and do i need a massive suitcase or a small holdall

I'd go for the largest option you have, better safe than sorry. Even if it's just uniform that'll be a couple of pairs of trousers, tops, a coat, , overalls, work boots, a hi-vi gloves, a hard hat .....

I doubt you'll get a climbing belt yet, but if you do that's a big ol' lump an all.

Don't fret it on the driving front, many who start will have never driven anything bigger than their Mum's Nissan Micra

Your post made me think back to my starting ..... I won't say I've been on a while, but were (seriously) issued with filo-faxes which contained loads of info about how to approach various jobs !

As above, I wouldn't worry about the 'driving test'
I've done a similar type of test with a delivery company and all it consisted of was going where the 'instructor' told you on a 15 minute drive and I did a reverse park into a bay (he even got out and watched me back)
It's basically just to see if you can actually drive a van with no rear window and something that's larger than a car etc... If they think you're capable then hay presto! If you're an absolute fruit bat mounting every curb and hitting stuff then I think they'll probably put you through a few lessons (correct me if I'm wrong anybody, surely they wouldn't straight up tell you to go home and not come back?)

My usual mode of transport is a VW golf, a fair bit smaller than your average OR van.

Hi all! Good news... I passed assessment and start training next month.

Filo fax wow I haven't used one of those in years. I imagine you joined way back when haha!

Ok best not kerb the van on the test then I am actually really looking forward to training but its probably because I don't know what hell I am in for. To be honest it can't be worse than police school and all the marching around. Can it?!

Well done to those who have passed and my fingers are crossed for those who are unsure of their fate at this time. Surely if they passed you and all went well you will be kept on file first in line for a space?

Jenny

Edited by deleted (Fri 15-Apr-16 00:54:09)

Well done waggo!

What date do you start next month? And is it yarnfield you're going to?

Thanks mate!

I start on the 23rd of may at Yarnfield, can't wait!

Edited by deleted (Fri 15-Apr-16 08:13:48)

Well done, you must be chuffed. Did you get an email with an offer or did you have a bit of a wait?

Yeah, I'm well chuffed!

Not much of a wait really, four days after doing assessment I had an email congratulating me. Then the day after I had an email asking me to contact the recruitment manager to arrange a start date. Had about a 20 min chat which was to book me on a course and an offer of employment.

From submitting my application to starting training it has took about four months.

Ah right, few weeks after me so won't be there same time... Thought I'd found an online training buddy there haha.
You were lucky getting it all in that amount of time! Was 1 year and 3 months for me!
I've just had an email saying 'you are ready to start work with us'
All checks complete and got given my work area or patch as it is... Not exactly where I thought I would be but its not far away! As long as I've got the job that's the main thing!

Would have been nice to have a on-line training buddy, lol.

All my details have now been passed on to the relevant department to carry out the necessary checks.

When do we have to do our CRB check? Prior to training I take it?!

They will normally send you an email telling you what to do and there's new tabs that open up on the careers website which will take you through a load of tasks you have to complete, one of which is the disclosure Scotland check.
Which part of the country are you from?
Just I know after the week at yarnfield you go to a more local training centre to finish your training (unless of course you live close to yarnfield)
Closest to me is Harrogate!

Cool, thanks.

I'm going to be based in Bristol which is also where I live. Think BT have a training centre in Cardiff which is 30 mins for me, but not too sure if they do or not... would be nice though but I was told 5 weeks at Yarnfield then 3 weeks local with buddy.

Edited by deleted (Fri 15-Apr-16 16:48:57)

Ah well, if that's what you've been told then that's probably the agenda for you.
I also get the 3 weeks with a buddy on the job training but I was also told that when I go to Harrogate I'd only be there Monday to Thursday and the Friday I would be with a buddy in my 'patch'
At the minute the majority of it is just hear say and none of it in writing yet so it could change by the time I start!

Just come across this forum, attended assessment 15th March Leeds. Offered perm contract NE2 network engineer. Start training Yarnfield 23/05! Good luck to current applicants

You were same assessment day as me mate!
I was only offered an 18 month temp contract NE2 network engineer but start 9th may.

I'm still waiting to hear something back about my pre employment checks. I completed them all by the deadline (12/4) and my Disclosure Scotland came back last week. Any ideas how long it takes their end? I really want to hand my notice in !

That's when I start my training... see you there

Yeah I thought as much, I chatted to most peeps that day. my PWA is Scarborough which is a bonus as I live there haha! Like many have already stated the 18 month contract will convert to a perm contract as OR has long term obligations to upgrade its network.

Just got confirmation email today regarding start date. OR Network Engineer. LOB = B not sure what line of business B is! Yeah I'm counting down the days, see you there, Paul.

Yeah my line of business is 'B' too!

Like I said earlier they rang me on Wednesday to book the train and told me I didn't have to write anything down (I did anyway) as they'd send an email with confirmation and tickets to me which he added would not open on an iPhone yet I've still not received anything.
I'm not worrying but it's just always good to receive more confirmation haha.

Hey all. Well I am currently at Yarnfield for week 1. It's basically welcome induction, health and safety, driving theory and test and a fairly early finish on the Friday as you receive your van and drive back home.

Then you start at your respective training location, which for some is Yarnfield as well.

I received my training folder and its huge. Lots of information there but looking forward to getting stuck in.

Thanks for the update wakewaterblue (Jenny I think?) lol.

We now have inside information on what to expect from the training haha.

I was wondering what kind of time we would be finishing on the Friday as it's almost a 4 hour drive home for me and I wouldn't really fancy it after a long day!

So lots to read through on the night in your room then?

hi dan how long did it take for the pre employment checks before you got your firm offer? I spoke to my manager today and they said that he hadnt had the phonecall for the reference yet! I had everything done by the 14th including sending them a copy of my Disclosure Scotland. Just hope they havent forgotten about me. I dont start until June 13th but a little contact wouldnt go amiss!

Hi,

I'm not sure really.. Maybe 1-2 weeks after completing everything?
To be fair I wasn't expecting to hear anything after sending all my information back until 2 weeks before when they ring to book your train, however they did that last Wednesday for me so almost 4 weeks before!

I haven't heard from my manager yet, I did however get an email telling me where I'd be based and what my role was and the email did say the manager would contact me soon but if not by the time I'm on the training I have to ring them (no name or number of manager provided though)

I'd say you'd probably get the same email I got around 3 - 4 weeks before you're due to start saying "you're ready to start working with us"

ohh nice one. Maybe I'm being a little premature with my worrying then. I just want to get my notice handed in and then I can relax! I think a little more contact/info would be good though. I've told everybody I've got the job now but when you don't hear anything for a while it can be a bit worrying. Thanks for letting me know though mate.

Yea I know what you mean, I hate waiting for anything! Haha.
How much notice you gotta give?
I've just been doing casual work for a while as I started a full time job around the same time OR finally got back to me and wanted to do a phone interview and then assessment day. New job wasn't happy with me needing a day off for that reason and weren't happy to keep me on for 2-3 months until I started OR IF I got the job, I told them I might not even get it but they weren't having it so basically told me to pick between the two... I chose OR, much better money and job!
So because of this, I don't have any notice to hand in.

So far at Yarnfield everyone has been so relaxed and friendly. So many trainers/managers which I am not used to. I'm used to everything on being on such a tight budget and things don't seem to be here!
The food in the restaurant is actually really good and lots of variety. Eating 3 proper meals a day is new for me, never eaten so much! Good bar where people seem to end up!
Not much going on in the area however, its fairly remote so bring laptop/tablet etc as the wifi seems good so far.

I have my driving assessment tomorrow but some of the group did theirs today and apparently it is not seen as a test, if anything, it's there to assist you in improving old bad habits and if you have never driven a van before, get comfortable with it and drive for some extra time if you wish to get your confidence. Apparently no one has really been told they cannot continue according to the managers.

As for a finishing time on the Friday, 12pm has been mentioned as there is a lesson on kinetics (how to carry heavy objects etc) in the morning and the vans are to be collected somewhere near Leicester so they take you there on Friday in a coach with all your kit (i've got 2 boxes full of kit, a holdall full of more kit and my luggage!)

Sounds great! Reading that made me want to get started already! Thanks for keeping us all updated, its all really good information to get us prepared. Dan- I only need to give a weeks notice but was planning on having a bit of a cheeky break in between jobs to go away somewhere with the family so would be nice to be able to plan!

Bit of a stupid question but..

Have the TVs got HDMI holes in the back? Haha

Edited by deleted (Wed 20-Apr-16 17:23:05)

Hi Guys,

I attended the assessment center in the morning session on Tuesday 8th March and was successful. I am due to start my training on the 23rd May in Yarnfield for one week then the rest in Harrogate, cant wait!

I know theres a bar and stuff on site, I was wondering if there is a gym anywhere nearby?

Been told there is a gym 😀
First thing I asked haha

Totally not a stupid question and I would like to know this also! Was thinking of taking my Xbox down to maybe keep me away from the bar haha!

Thinking the exact same my self! Haha

Although by the sounds of it there's going to be a lot of stuff to carry/transport so might leave it for the first week

Yeah I'll be taking my laptop down, 200 mile journey for myself so not sure if I can be bothered with taking my xbox lol.

I've been looking online and I wonder if our salary increases each year

Yeah I get ya mate, I've told my casual job I can't work the week leading up to starting for the same kinda reason! Haha.

Wakewaterblue... Is there food for fussy people? I'm very fussy that's all so need to know wether to bring supplies or not haha.

I also would like to know the HDMI situation, take my tablet and chromecast and get some programs/films watched while there (or footy)

Regarding the pre-employment checks and firm job offer I'm yet to receive any of these, been told my start date is June 27 but I wish they would get on with sending me some information. Any idea how long before I start I will receive all of this?

Not sure mate, its strange they have gave you a start date ect but nothing else.

I accepted my contract/job offer online and completed all the pre-emplyoment checks two weeks ago so that was around 7 weeks before my start date.

How long have you been waiting to hear from them?

Edited by deleted (Wed 20-Apr-16 18:41:18)

Hi mate,
I was told they release contract offers in start date order so the woman guessed it could be mid-may before I get mine but she said she would work with June 27th as my start date. I go on holiday on May 18th and wanted to get pre-employment checks done before and hand my notice in at work before I went away. I sent an email Monday asking about when they will send me the offer but no reply but she sent me an email telling me last week telling contract would be permanent and wage etc. Getting information from them is hard work!

Ah I see that clears it up then, I'd wait it out and see if you get a response.

There is plenty of food choice, a salad bar, soup, curry, fish, roast dinners, pasta, baked potato with variety of fillings etc etc.

The tv's in the rooms have an HDMI port, scart and a USB by the looks of things! For the ladies (men also!) there is hairdryer supplied, kettle with biscuits, tea/coffee and a small wardrobe. Towel is supplied.

I would recommend you bring your own pillow if fussy and perhaps an air mattress haha! It's lumpy!

Apparently there is a gym literally down the road but unsure if it's part of the site but i hear it's not far, as in you can walk I think.

The bar has Sky Sports so a lot of the guys are watching the football right now. I'm in my room obviously looking at the TV ports like a geek because I am so bored!

Haha, thank you very much though for checking! You've answered few questions for us so that's a great help.

Oh well looks like I'll be ok for food then.

Seems a bit of a trek to go from yarnfield to Leicester for the vans, you'd think there would be a closer fleet depot to their national training centre.

I'm very curious as to what kind of van I'm going to be given. Make, model, new or old!

When you get home with yours wakewaterblue, could you tell us what you got?

I was given start date before receiving any correspondence. But 3 days later I get lots of things to do, admin wise.

Have to say it seemed a lot to do but got through it all. All 7 tasks complete and Disclosure check is what I'm waiting on now.

Sometimes it pays to just pick up the phone and make a courtesy call to the person dealing with it. I did that the next day just to check that they received all documents and they were very helpful. Emails tend to get lost in my experience.

Good luck everyone in the training! I can't wait to get started!

Noting that Yarnfield is a general conference centre and motel effectively, have you noted any/many non BT clientele?

Hi mate,
Think I'll give it till next week to see if I get sent any information as it will be about 8 weeks till I start, I've been dealing with a girl called Laura by email only,most of the time she replies other times she doesn't which leaves you feeling frustrated!! Gotta say the communication could be better from their end!

I just want to get everything sorted and get cracking,looking forward to it. I know there is a pub down the road in case the boredom sets in at night!

Hi all

Not sure if I am commenting in the right area i have not used a forum before.

I attended the assessment centre in Birmingham on April 14th and heard back 3 days later via email that I had passed but they were restructuring locations etc. I have actually pestered the lady from HR that I have been dealing with to find out if I actually have a job and she is just telling me to be patient.

Really hope I get offered a role. My interviewer actually said to me that my area has no engineers at the moment so kind of confused.

Well done to everyone else who has passed and been offered a role so far.

Hi mate,

The same thing happened with me when I was successful. Before I went for the assessment day I asked where I would be based if successful and they said I would be working the exact area where I live. When I was successful I was told the exact same they there were re-organising positions and they would try to get back to me within two weeks - they offered me a position after one week.

This changed from working in my area to possibly not being offered a position in under two weeks, I think they fill so many positions quickly, they'll probably get back to you.

I hope so mate. Just in the same boat as everbody else and will just have to wait it out

Hi Guys,

Exactly the concerns you've raised is what prompted this thread in the first instance. My situation is very similar except I undertook my assessment at the end of Feb 2016. Offered a permanent position locally within the week and a training start date towards the end of June. That offer changed within less than 2 weeks via email to no position available in my area, no training date and a brief explanation that an update of locations and training is ongoing and will be completed towards the end of this month? Other than that I'm afraid it appears there are a good few folk eager to get going but the offer of positions to those having been given the thumbs up regarding the passing of the assessment are left in complete limbo? For what its worth, your not on your own regarding the waiting game.

Did the offer change after you had completed all your pre-employment checks and accepted the offer online?

Everything about the offer of employment was made over the phone. I didn't receive any email confirmation about anything. The only email I recieved was about 10 days after the verbal offer asking me to remain patient. It was after that email I thought that it gave the indication that no position was available. I made contact and was advised that there was no position for me. So to recap...Offer of job, email asking to be patient, email advising there were no jobs in my area and to be patieint. Since then nothing. No new start date, no new training date, nothing, nada, zilch, zero. I havnt got a clue whats going on so, I guess I'll just have to be patient.

jpreid89, it looks like we had a similar email. I had my assessment on the 12th of April and the next day I heard I passed but they were "reviewing their locations" and should have this finalised by the end of April and "hope" to be in a position to offer me a role. I thought i would drop a quick email to ask if there was any update on Friday, but she didn't have anything but she will get back to me as soon as she hears.

I know some people who have had a similar email and they got an offer 2 weeks - 2 months later.....maybe there is "hope"

I had my assessment in Leeds February 24th was offered the job, start date June 27th but still not had any contract or pre-employment work to do,emailed them last week about it still no reply. Gotta admit I'm getting a little frustrated at how they leave us in limbo about it all especially as I'm wanting to hand my notice in at my current job!

Hi

Yes it seems like many people are in the same boat. Its just slightly frustrating as I was under the impression we were being assessed for a vacant position and its all just a lot of not knowing whats going on.

Hopefully will get there in the end

Well just had an email saying they will be releasing offers by the end of next week! Finally some good news fingers crossed!

Hi

That is good news. I havent recieved any such email. What exactly did it say?

Basically I emailed Laura the girl who arranged my assessment asking when I will receive my official offer and she just said they will be in a position to release them from end of next week,so hopefully things might get moving!

It's a shame you guys are having bother after being told you passed the assessment!

Unfortunately, this comment won't exactly bring you joy but I just thought I'd share what's going on from my end at the minute...

Received my induction email, code for me to get my train tickets and a brief timetable of how the training will go.
They also gave me the addresses of where my Harrogate training and accommodation is and I was quite surprised to see they're putting me up in a 4 star best western while there!

Hopefully everything sorts itself out for all the ones having bother!
Persevere and you's will get there!

Wow super swish! I hope I have to go to Harrogate too lol! Yea to the others...I think with such a large intake of staff, everything is a bit disorganised and incredibly slow. I'm still waiting for the email after my pre employment checks but I gave the recruitment advisor a call the other day and he was super friendly and told me everything is going as it should be. He said I could hand my notice in too which is ace because I cant wait to do that haha!

If you havent already, give them a call because like someone said they can ignore an email.

Sounds like a waiting game for a lot of you. Hope you all get your answers soon!

I've got a start date of the 23rd may. Gonna be close as still waiting DS check 😁

Post deleted by davekyn

In reply to a post by DanJC:

I'm very curious as to what kind of van I'm going to be given. Make, model, new or old!

When you get home with yours wakewaterblue, could you tell us what you got?

Our 'stream' all got new vivaro's. And we were the first stream through this financial year. They are 65 plates but they take a while to get branded and kitted out. And the kitting out is outstanding! No space is lost.

IF you get an old van then its 6 months max wait to get a new one so no worries.

I have missed this thread as was subscribed to the old one.

I will answer any questions I can as still have a few weeks left in training.

In reply to a post by wakewaterblue:

There is plenty of food choice, a salad bar, soup, curry, fish, roast dinners, pasta, baked potato with variety of fillings etc etc.

The tv's in the rooms have an HDMI port, scart and a USB by the looks of things! For the ladies (men also!) there is hairdryer supplied, kettle with biscuits, tea/coffee and a small wardrobe. Towel is supplied.

I would recommend you bring your own pillow if fussy and perhaps an air mattress haha! It's lumpy!

Apparently there is a gym literally down the road but unsure if it's part of the site but i hear it's not far, as in you can walk I think.

The bar has Sky Sports so a lot of the guys are watching the football right now. I'm in my room obviously looking at the TV ports like a geek because I am so bored!

See you for a pint a week on Monday as will be on week 4 then mate!

There's always the snooker! (Mostly on the red button or online). Some fantastic matches this year.

All checks now complete and received email saying that I'm ready to start.

Can't wait to get started now!

So I have just completed my first week at Croydon, poles were fine, ladders were ok and you learn things like how to secure ladders onto your van, how to extend ladders safely etc. Then you do your street works qualification which isn't the easiest thing in the world and is a pass or fail so that part you really need to be switched on!

With regards to vehicles, my intake based at Croydon have been given a load of old rusty bangers, each one has something wrong with them but all the kit inside is issued new. The reason they have given us old vehicles is they are slowly getting rid of the old fleet and they have had to make some changes to the beacons on the roof (or something along those lines?!) for it to be legal in Wales and Scotland. So those working more north and training in Yarnfield/Scotland etc got issued the new ones as their vans were new and complying with the new law.

Apparently it is coming into England soon as well so they have to get rid of the old vans and we have been told they will be replaced towards end of the year.

So anyone training Croydon may get the old vehicles.... but they drive nice and to be honest, none of us look like newbies anymore haha!

We are staying in the Hilton literally around the corner from the training centre. All meals included and there are many other Openreach staff staying in the hotel as other intakes and others doing extra training courses. So quite a nice atmosphere.

Any questions just ask

What does the Street works qualification involve? Sounds busy but I still can't wait to crack on!

Hi all,

Just a quick update for those who are still waiting to find out if they have a job having passed the assessment.....I have been a pest an emailing a lot but finally today she said it's happening this week, so fingers crossed that is for us all and its good news.

If you've been given an '05 or '06 registered can you should have that replaced in he next year or so anyway. Regardless of when you started the job or when you got the van.

That's what they told me fingers crossed it is sorted by the end of the week!!

Yes it is, But for a reason.

You buddy up and you can take your own notes into the 'exam'

Its all about setting out in order and reversing that order when you remove the kit.

Make notes if you need mate. And you have all the time you need also. Its all about your and the publics safety.

Ahh cheers for the info mate! Nearly a month til i start now! Still havent heard anything since i did all my pre employment tasks!

In reply to a post by ApuChunk:

Ahh cheers for the info mate! Nearly a month til i start now! Still havent heard anything since i did all my pre employment tasks!

That is quite normal! Don't stress! Our lot is the first stream through and we have it hard! haha

And the kitting out is outstanding! No space is lost.

Impressive, until you realise that there is [censored] all space for carrying anything 'extra', or for those that have additional skills and therefore need extra 'stuff'.
Not enough space in the back I reckon.

I do remember getting my first tranny, in the old grey livery with the piper logo. There was an independent diesel heater which you could set up to defrost it for cold mornings, it also warmed water to wash your hands with a bowl which flipped down on the rear door. The cassette player was cutting edge too !

Look after yours, you'll have a long time, and it'll have to become your second home.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

And the kitting out is outstanding! No space is lost.

Impressive, until you realise that there is [censored] all space for carrying anything 'extra', or for those that have additional skills and therefore need extra 'stuff'.
Not enough space in the back I reckon.

I do remember getting my first tranny, in the old grey livery with the piper logo. There was an independent diesel heater which you could set up to defrost it for cold mornings, it also warmed water to wash your hands with a bowl which flipped down on the rear door. The cassette player was cutting edge too !

Look after yours, you'll have a long time, and it'll have to become your second home.

You still working at openreach? I am on a week off training and on patch and the lad that I working with has a fiat doblo maxi and we spent our dinner 40 mins sorting my van out and was very impressed and we managed to knock out 6 faults today so what is bad with that?

There is space for kit in these new vivaros. All of the new 'recruits' are going through the new training for CALOMI training.

And yeah there is still 'extra' space for UG stuff

That heater sounds good though! These have gone mate!

Edited by deleted (Tue 03-May-16 22:00:15)

The big new vans are good. The large high roofed Fiats. Microwaves in them, etc. Whilst we are stuck with the new Vivaro regardless of the actual job we do. I imagine things would be very tight if you had to carry the fibre splicing gear for FTTP also.

You still working at openreach?

Hell yeah, I've only been on 19 years !

and we managed to knock out 6 faults today so what is bad with that?

Take the snips while you can, and remember, not all the jobs will be that easy ... and if it appears all the jobs your buddy picks up are either snips or he throws them back, well then I would politely suggest he ain't much of a role model.

And yeah there is still 'extra' space for UG stuff

They are designed for multi-skilled bods ...... tho' some are more multi-skilled than others.

I imagine things would be very tight if you had to carry the fibre splicing gear for FTTP also.

You know it girlfriend

What really eats up the space is carrying a stock of ONTE's, the fibre lead in's etc, separate tool box for fibre stuff, another for testing kit.

My mate does BAU fibre and has one of those new Fiats, he rates it ......

>>some are more multi-skilled than others.

They'll be the ones in Tonners.

They'll be the ones in Tonners.

Not all of 'em

Have you had any news yet matt?

In reply to a post by Mattb15:

That's what they told me fingers crossed it is sorted by the end of the week!!

Not as yet mate, no doubt they will leave it till the last minute! How about you?

Hi Guys,

Just for the record I still haven't heard a dickie bird apart from an email in response to me asking for an update. I was simply advised the same as yourselves with buzz words ie. Be patient and next week etc. You are not alone in the waiting game.

Nothing yet, I know it probably will be a last minute job. You have a start date? So are you just waiting on the "official" offer? I don't have a start date yet but in her email she said "its going to happen this week" I really hope so.

Shlonger, did your email sound a little more promising this time round? She just said to me as soon as she gets the information she will call me and its going to happen this week.

Hi all

Iv just had an email this morning but was only to say that they hadn't copied both sides of my drivers license at the assessment so I now have to meet with an area manager for them to do it again.

I asked what was going on and this lady just said they are waiting on start dates which will be coming through in the next few weeks!!!

Anybody else feel like they are constantly left hanging???

Yep, took me a year to actually get an invitation to the assessment centre, I found out next day I passed, great start to the email but then ended up with me feeling disappointed as it stated "At the moment we are reviewing our locations to make sure that we are recruiting people in the right locations; in line with our existing resource and customer demand" they would have an update and "hope" to offer me a role at the end of April start of May. Since then i have emailed a fair few times and on Tuesday she told me "its happening this week" So i hope that's true as you have been told "a few weeks". Its just the waiting and hoping they actually have a job available.

This is what's pi**ing me off at the moment the fact you have to chase them for any information! I want to hand my notice in at current job on the 17th may as I'm meant to be starting on June 27th and until I sign something with openreach I won't be handing it in! It's a bit of a joke really.

Hey Guys,
There seems to be a common thread running through the last few postings from different individuals. I was told that my driving licence hadn't been copied correctly also and that it would be necessary to meet up with a manager to resolve the problem (get a fresh copy) Just to be on the safe side and although not requested at the time, I decied I best take my passport with me just in case they tried that old chesnut of 'your passport needs copying again too'. Guess what, whilst having my licence re-copied, they claimed they needed another copy of my passport. Fortunately and hey-presto I was able to produce it there and then trumping that little stalling technique. I was also told that information would be made available this week relating to the process of identifying the needs and demands of the business and that 'hopefully' a position would be found? No further communications after that. There's something that appears just not quite right if you ask me? It has become a very disheartening process with constant stalling tatics and no end game in sight? Surely it's not that difficult to identify that a position requires filling, advertise it, interview for it and then appoint someone and tell them what the start date will be and stick to it. All very non-commital.

Edited by deleted (Thu 05-May-16 13:39:49)

I've sent another email this lunchtime now waiting for a reply, it sounds like a complete farce to be fair!

Also after I was offered the job in February we decided on 27th of June as my start date as I had holiday booked for May 18th but she said the contracts were released in start date order hence why I'm still waiting now, if nothing by tomorrow I'm gonna call them. I agree why waste people's time interviewing them then deciding whether their is a job or not, my current employer is asking me when I'm handing my notice in as they have to find a replacement for me so it's a very frustrating time!

Just had a reply saying she's waiting for an update and hopefully she will know tomorrow or Monday!! Bet your life it won't be till next Friday!

Thanks for the update there Matt, i really hope its this Friday! You have the little hope of the offer for the 27th still there thankfully i think the rest of us haven't even got that far yet. You are doing the right thing and waiting till it's 100%. Can't believe what a long process with lack of updates this is turning out. It's a shame for people who don't have a job and might pass other opportunity if they turn round and say there are no jobs at this moment. I'm always on edge looking at my emails

It's very frustrating that they don't keep us updated I wonder how many people have turned round and said stuff your job having being messed about like this, you might expect this from a 2 bit firm but someone like openreach?

In reply to a post by davekyn:

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

And the kitting out is outstanding! No space is lost.

Impressive, until you realise that there is [censored] all space for carrying anything 'extra', or for those that have additional skills and therefore need extra 'stuff'.
Not enough space in the back I reckon.

I do remember getting my first tranny, in the old grey livery with the piper logo. There was an independent diesel heater which you could set up to defrost it for cold mornings, it also warmed water to wash your hands with a bowl which flipped down on the rear door. The cassette player was cutting edge too !

Look after yours, you'll have a long time, and it'll have to become your second home.

You still working at openreach? I am on a week off training and on patch and the lad that I working with has a fiat doblo maxi and we spent our dinner 40 mins sorting my van out and was very impressed and we managed to knock out 6 faults today so what is bad with that?

There is space for kit in these new vivaros. All of the new 'recruits' are going through the new training for CALOMI training.

And yeah there is still 'extra' space for UG stuff

That heater sounds good though! These have gone mate!

Can imagine if you have all that kit. I have landed lucky as he does know his stuff and is top 'stats' and is stand in manager but yeah I get your drift about snip jobs and all that. They were faults and cab jobs so at least I am learning that better than in yarnfield!

I just want to leqarn as the role we are being trained for is to not leave the customer with nothing... BUT, what if the fault is UG as we aint being trained for that..... yet............

I must say I am close to the point of just telling them to forget it. After they called me today regarding them needing my drivers license again, I finally got in touch with a local Manager who said he was busy this week and laughed when I informed him I havent even had a start date yet.

He then just said well there's no rush we can talk again next week we've got plenty of time etc.

I then emailed the lady iv been dealing with from day one to see if she could shed any light as to what is going on but I am yet to receive a response.

Shall wait and see if tomorrow brings any news but I am expecting another email with some type of stalling tactic.

I agree mate it's a load of bo**ocks! Not very professional the way they are going about the whole thing,wish I had a number to actually speak to someone instead of messing about with emails! Hang in there mate.

At the moment ive had nothing needing re scanned, thats not very professional laughing and saying we have plenty of time. Sounds like they know what the recruitment side of it is like. Shall see what tomorrow brings, im pretty p****d off myself but its a career i want just trying to hang in with hope. I think ill flip if i get told nothing or more waiting tomorrow lol

jpreid89, have you had any reply from your email that you sent yesterday? I've had nothing so far but then again it's still morning....

Hi mate

Not had any reply as of yet and she is normally quite quick to reply. Here's hoping we all get good news today.

Fingers crossed we get something or even some update with a proper time scale. If I hear anything I shall let you guys know

Has anyone emailed openreach this morning? I've had no news yet, may as well forget it till next week now! [censored]

My DS came through within a week. I'm starting 16th may

Was about the same time for mine. I start the 23rd May. You training at Yarnfield?

Same start date as me.

See you up there!!!

Still nothing yet, i'm tempted to email again as she said on Tuesday "its going to happen this week" however probably best I leave it till the end of day pfffttt

I would mate getting a bit boring now this waiting game!

Yea I'll be in yarnfield. Had my interview in December and had to wait until now for a start. Thought I'd squeeze a holiday in just before I started lol so I'm sat in Tenerife trying to find out what job role TMNE2 is on the Internet with no luck

Iv still not had a reply to my email I'm going to send another one now

I've got her number if you want to try that?

Chris did you get a start date straight away in December?

From the looks of it, if there's a role available you will get the start date asap as my friend got the call 4 days after assessment offering him the job there and then. All this emailing regarding reviewing locations is just a load of rubbish and you will be kept in the 'pile' until a vacancy arises which could be months down the line. I can imagine just getting a call out of the blue asking if you can start next week!

She has just emailed me back saying they are hoping to be able to make offers beginning next week.

Cool, I gave my notice in today so that I can have a week off before starting

No, I got my email 'contract offer' March 16th but I got mine the same time as the April starts. I was stressing about the lack of information too. But I wouldn't worry

What a load of rubbish I got an email last Monday saying they would send them this week! Still nothing yet! Just stringing us along.

I'm just a bit confused why the girl told me "it will happen this week" and getting my hopes up. I've just emailed again asking if its likely to happen today.....shall see if she replies!

I got a similar run around but within a month or so had a contract offer

Thanks for that Chris, it gives me a little more hope, i would just like a time scale to work with

Ok so had a reply saying she doesn't have the info yet and try to be a bit patient.......

Yeah I also felt the need for a week away before training, hello Corfu next Weds....

It's those soundbites they keep using 'hopefully' and 'be patient'. It's like they think we are all imbeciles or something?

Lol! Same here! Last minute Canary Islands followed by a week in Cornwall Well earned I'd say.

I take you haven't heard anything at all today either? It would be ok if we had some sort of time scale!

Correct. Nothing. No email no text no phone call, nothing. I've never known anything like it for such a large multi billion pound company. It we be easier to apply for a job at GCHQ. Just need to be 'hopefull' and 'patient' and in the meantime, live off thin air, rack up loads of debt, argue with the missus, separate, get divorced, loose my share of the house, see the kids just at weekends by which time my health will have suffered, claim disability benefits, be told I don't qualify then have to get a part time job at Aldi.

Weather here is good 25degress at the moment. Might not come back lol! If anyone is in yarnfield for the 16th I'll be the one with the tomato red face and arms

I'll look out for you haha

In reply to a post by Shlonger:

It's those soundbites they keep using 'hopefully' and 'be patient'. It's like they think we are all imbeciles or something?

It will be worth it in the end. There was 48000 applications in 2 weeks! and only 1200 successful.

I have spoke to people that are overwhelmed with the workload to arrange 1200 train tickets/hire cars/juggle yarnfields capacity to train us etc.

I don't believe its a test but the massive cost that Openreach invest to each of us is unbelievable.

It may be down to many factors why you are not getting the start date yet, BUT, if you have been given good news it will come. Mine too from December to April.

and is top 'stats' and is stand in manager

Oh dear, I believe it was Shania Twain who sang 'That don't impress me much'.

The 'stats' and performance management system drive entirely the wrong sets of work criteria and practices in some staff. The whole shebang is intrinsically flawed. To those above all is black and white, for those that actually can, and do, it will always be shades of grey.

I should point out that this is true of many large companies these days, not just your new employers.

I know it was Yosser Huges who said 'Gissa Job'!

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-May-16 06:51:47)

Anyone had any news yet??

Nothing , you heard anything? The sun is shining though, could it be a sign? lol

Not a thing mate,somebody I know is meant to be starting early June and still not heard a thing! I sent an email Friday which I got no reply too! Problem for me is I want to hand my notice in next Tuesday as have to do 1 months notice at my place and have 1 week off before starting at openreach,at the minute I'm not going to be able too.

I would send another email again as time is getting on!! Let me know how you get on

Have done mate still no reply!

Hi Mate,

Thanks for your response and the positive overtones contained therein. Is that information from Openreach themselves? and please excuse my ignorance but could clarify what you mean by Decemebr to April? Like some of the other postees, I still remain completely in the dark as to what is going on? It would be very helpful if Openreach themselves would clarify the process instead of this almost covert operation of recruitment which they seem to be undertaking. Cannot understand their logic whatsoever?

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-May-16 13:52:10)

It seems to me the person I'm dealing with is in the dark as much as me regarding the offers probably being feed the same useless information I keep receiving!

Post deleted by kar87

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-May-16 14:43:46)

It sounded like that to me with the woman i'm dealing with, she said "i haven't got the information yet, but as soon as I do I will inform you straight away". What did she say to you? Just seems to strange when they said last week and now no one seems to know when....

You would think they would be pestering the people above them just to get us of their backs! I give up mate to be honest! What do you try next?

I've decided to be patient and wait another 2 weeks before emailing again however my situation is different to yours as you have being given a date and I haven't, so I haven't said a word to my employer. It seems to strange to give you a starting date but nothing official? Have they asked you to do your references and disclosure yet?

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-May-16 15:20:12)

No mate that's what I'm waiting for! She just said 27th June as a start date and [censored] all since! That was in March!

Hi Mate,

When you said that you were told about the job, pay, start date etc. was that done in an email or verbally over the phone? I had an offer over the phone (end of Feb) with a start date towards the end of June, however, an email asking me to 'be patient' soon followed and since then I've heard absolutley nothing? Not too sure if the start date given even stands now?

Edited by deleted (Mon 09-May-16 15:34:22)

Just an email mate but I emailed her about 3 weeks ago about pay and she said as I'm due to start in June 27th my first pay be end of July so I was thinking the offer still stood

Seems like they are holding back or the contracts are not sorted yet and it also looks like the recruitment people were told to give start dates then all of a sudden told to hold off especially since you haven't been asked for the disclosure and all the other things you need to do. You need to give 4 weeks notice to your works and that's coming in very fast so i hope they stick with the starting date rather than mess you around, if only someone would give a reason behind why it works like this sometimes.....

I agree mate and I'm off on holiday next Wednesday so won't be able to do anything whilst I'm there! Sure we will get it sorted!

Fingers crossed we all hear something this week

Out of interest is anyone dealing with a girl called Laura Daley and have her contact number? Think it will be easier to talk to somebody rather than sending emails.

The thread will be closing soon, so a chance to close off any conversations before I hit close in a day or two. Of course nothing to stop people starting off a new thread to handle sub parts of this discussion.

We close threads at a certain size as it can make some views of the forums unwieldy

Lol its got to that point again! Kind of you not to just delete it for not really being relevant to the forum We could do with somewhere else we could go to talk about it. Anyone fancy setting up a closed group on Facebook or something?

Can do for me mate.

I dont mind setting it up, what will we call it? Lol

The elusive jobs page!

So..you wanna be an Openreach Engineer?

Ha ha

Lol i just called it Openreach Hopefuls. Thats it created now

Nice one good work! Just joined!

I would advise against a Facebook page. They have previous with previous ones.

How do you mean? Surely if it's a private group it's ok?

Big brother is watching?

Im sure big brother is also watching this forum however changed group to hopefuls lol no mention of the "brand".

You heard anything yet jpreid89?

Hi mate

I actually emailed again about an hour ago and she said no news yet (then a sad face picture) and asked for my patience a bit longer.

The never ending wait goes on.

Hi Guys,

I've heard nowt either (not even a response to an email asking what the score is?). Seems to be a bit of radio silence going on now?

Just going to sit on a creeking rocking chair in a darkened room with a wet towel over my head.

Oh well doesn't like we will be hearing anything this week then! This forum will be closed in a few days, does someone want to create a another thread for updates from each other or join the closed group on facebook?

Yeah, this thread has been a good (or bad depending on the job situation) source of information. I had no idea other folk were having the same issues in respect of the whole process. When this thread closes I reckon another one entitled 'Openreach Employment 2' is initiated to help keep everyone informed? Whats the Facebook one?

Yeah it's very helpful, I made a closed group there is two other people from this forum, just like here posting updates between us. I don't think this forum is intended for this subject but its good they let us chat about it the group it called "hopefuls" on facebook

I have found this thread very useful in seeing what today's generations are up against in obtaining employment - fortunately I am far beyond that stage, having been retired for 16 years.

I do understand Andrew's concerne; but I hope it continues here as I feel it helps to understand the the broader aspects of what is happening in the broadband arena; and what BT/OR is doing to hopefully improve that situation.

Andrew was fine with the conversation being here when he responded before - he only closes the thread when it gets long as it can affect the way it displays but nothing stops someone then setting up a part 2 / 3 / 4 / etc.

Any reply to your email yet? I seen a newspaper article in the local paper here looking for people to apply to openreach as they are taking on people in the area.....so i'm confused to why there is a hold up with me at the moment....I feel like emailing that article but i'm trying to be more patient

Hi,
Short answer (in fact the only answer) is nope! Really poor communications going on. Maybe that could be a new job at OR. Job Title: 'How to recruit people like most normal businesses do Officer'. The advert in your local rag should carry an advisory to anyone looking to apply. ie. Must be prepared not to be told about anything regarding the positions available and be able to wait indefinately on the off chance you get a message to remain 'patient' and 'hopeful'. If you fit the above criteria apply immediately.

Edited by deleted (Wed 11-May-16 12:19:24)