Starting a British Gas Apprenticeship

[Damon Apple]

Hope this helps Tod:

Are you provided with a works van from day one? NO, You must first do a driving assesment which usually is about 3-4 weeks after you have started and then only if vehicles are available, also depends if your service or installation engineer, service guys are not normally provided with a van until they qualify or around the 36 weeks in mark but installation guys and gals get their van ASAP, If you carefully read the job description it says " YOU MAY BE PROVIDED WITH A COMPANY VEHICLE!,"

Do you have to pay for your own food? You will be provided with all meals during your first week of residential induction but when your based in your hotel you will only be provided with breakfast and evening meal, You have to provide your own lunches in the academy.

Do they pay for you to go home at weekends? No you will probably finish around 2pm on a Friday to enable you to drive home and beat the rush hour traffic. You are only paid 7.4hrs per day Mon to Friday.

Do they make all necessary hotel arrangements? Yes they do, you do not have to worry.

How close is the Hotel to the Academy? Depends where your doing your training, if you aint got a van you have to take your own vehicle or public transport and claim expenses back...usually paid about 4 weeks after you submit them.

KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS FOR EVERYTHING AND ENSURE YOU CLAIM WHAT YOUR ENTITLED TOO, KEEP TRACK OF YOUR EXPENSES CLAIM AS 9 TIMES OUTTA 10 ITS WRONG!

 

[the_tod]

That's great, some useful info there Damon, cheers mate! Just a few more questions and I think that's it!

Do you know if the cost of the journey home at weekends is covered under expenses? How often do you claim for expenses, is it once a month?

At the interview they mentioned it would be structured like e.g 3 weeks at the Academy and 4 weeks at home and so on for 2 years, is this right?

Do you know the current salary for the 3rd year as this isn't mentioned in my contract?

How long does it take to become fully qualified?

And most importantly do you enjoy it? I'm really looking forward to starting!

 

[Damon Apple]

Hello again,

Do you know if the cost of the journey home at weekends is covered under expenses? How often do you claim for expenses, is it once a month? yes travel costs reimbursed both ways just keep those reciepts ,train tickets bus tickets etc.....

At the interview they mentioned it would be structured like e.g 3 weeks at the Academy and 4 weeks at home and so on for 2 years, is this right? Yes, but once you start you will be given a timetable, its a bit of a mixed bag to be honest...but deffo not 3 weeks at academy 4 weeks at home, ive never had that...I initially had 4 weeks away then 1 week on job training, then 3 weeks away then another week on job training....It all depends whats on your timetable but they will prob give you a timetable at some point during your first week during residential induction..

Do you know the current salary for the 3rd year as this isn't mentioned in my contract? As I currently understand it, service is roughly £5000 year one, £10000 year two and at year 3 its £20,000....and if your really good then you progress up the pay scale ladder quicker...You dont necessarily have to wait 5 years to earn £30,000 plus.....Service guys I work with are earning £40,000 per year.

How long does it take to become fully qualified? About 5 years it all depends how good you are and how quick you progress....You aint gonna earn £30,000 after 2 years

And most importantly do you enjoy it? I'm really looking forward to starting! Just be prepared for hard work make the most of the opportunity you have been given and stay away from the whingers lol, just look after number one, good luck!

 

[Noxer]

Nice replies daemon im an apprentice too and you couldnt of put it any better.

 

[Jamie231]

Hi, would just like to ask a few questions

I am starting a service and repair apprenticeship at Leeds next month (July 25th), been told I will be staying there for 4 weeks...where will I be staying? Will I get my meals and travel paid for?
How likely is it I will get a van?
Cheers

 

[Damon Apple]

Read this post up a lil bit Jamie231 an you should get all the info you need!

 

[amk2vr6]

Any updates from the posters above?

Most should be well through it now

 

[gemma_p]

Good luck ***

 

[Ermintrude]

Enjoy it listen and keep a diary

 

[newcastle phill]

Don't get caught doing guvvys