Growing Talent from Within: George’s Apprenticeship Story at Onnec
When George joined Onnec in 2023 as a network cabling apprentice, he was at the very start of his career in the data centre industry. Fast forward to today, and George is now a Site Manager on a live data centre project in London, leading teams and helping deliver critical infrastructure projects.
After graduating in September 2024, George stepped straight into a full-time role, putting his technical training, on-site experience, and leadership skills into practice. His journey is a great example of how apprenticeships at Onnec are designed not just to build skills, but to create long-term career pathways.
We caught up with George to hear how he’s finding the transition, what’s surprised him most about the role, and what advice he’d give to others starting out in the industry.
You joined Onnec as a network cabling apprentice in 2023 — what first attracted you to the apprenticeship route?
I never went down the university route because it wasn’t really my cup of tea. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdown meant working from home, I spent time with a family member who works in the network infrastructure industry, talking about it and getting a general understanding of it. When it came to seeing this apprenticeship opportunity advertised I just thought, why not? I knew working for Onnec would present a lot of opportunities, so it would have been silly not to apply.
What has the transition from apprentice to site manager been like?
At first it was tough, as you need to gain the respect and trust of the teams you lead. Being someone who was often a lot younger than the engineers on site, it sometimes felt like I was more of a colleague than a manager. However, with more experience, I’m now very comfortable in the role. There is still a lot more to learn, and we learn every day here, but I’m in a good place with it now.
What does a typical day look like for you now on a data centre site?
I like to get in early to prepare all the documentation for the engineers to sign. We then have a DABS (Daily Activity Briefing) meeting from 7:30 to 7:45, followed by the on-site team briefing to make sure everyone is set up and ready for the day. After this, I carry out a site walk around all the areas we are focused on, taking photos and notes for my own records or to raise anything with the management team in meetings.
Throughout the day, I’ll be working closely with the Onnec team on site and the Main Contractor. I’m in charge of logistics at one of Onnec’s London Data Centre sites, so a lot of the time I’m at the loading bay or hoist assisting the logistics team, making sure the correct quantities have arrived and that nothing is damaged. For the rest of the day, I’m in the site office calling suppliers, updating trackers, and completing reporting.
What’s been the steepest learning curve since taking on the site manager role?
The steepest learning curve for me was creating and maintaining good relationships with suppliers. At first, I was a bit timid when communicating on Teams and through email, but the more frequently I did this and the more I got to know the people I was dealing with, the easier it became.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship at Onnec?
It’s a great way to get your foot in the door. You can’t just rock up to a site, say ‘I want to do that’ and go do it. The apprenticeship provides everything you need, from the basics up to the advanced skills, so you can learn to be the best professional you can be. You do need dedication – it requires time and effort to succeed. It’s not just a case of turning up and in a year or so you’ll get a qualification out of it. You can’t jump from job to job like a regular 9-5, you’ve got to commit to learning the skills and passing the qualifications, so you do need to have an interest in it. It’s completely worth it, so take the opportunity.
What’s next for you — are there any goals you’re working towards in your career at Onnec?
Right now I’m focused on my role as a site manager, I need to be the best possible site manger I can be before moving up but, I do have my eye set on being a project manager within the next 5 years at Onnec.
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At Onnec, we believe in fostering an environment where talent thrives, ideas flourish, and innovation knows no bounds. Onnec brings together over 800 people across the globe, who together deliver connectivity solutions to some of the world’s greatest organisations.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, we invite you to explore the exciting opportunities available and embark on a rewarding career path with us.
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