2026 Control Engineer Higher Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution

National Grid; England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the UK is seeking a Control Engineer Higher Apprentice to manage high voltage operations. This role involves a comprehensive training program over 2.5 years, leading to a Shift Control Engineer position. Applicants should meet education criteria, including GCSEs and A-Levels in relevant subjects. Competitive starting salary with incremental raises upon completion of training. Must be willing to work shifts.

Benefits

Competitive starting salary

23 days annual leave, increasing with tenure

Competitive pension scheme and Sharesave options

Fully funded qualification

Qualifications

• Must have GCSE in English and Maths with grades A*-C.
• Required to have 2 A-Levels at grade A*-C or a level 3 qualification in Engineering.
• Must complete a basic DBS check and security vetting.

Responsibilities

• Control high voltage operation within Company policies.
• Participate in practical training and academic study.
• Progress towards the role of Shift Control Engineer.

Skills

GCSE in English

GCSE in Maths

2 A-Levels at grade A*-C

Qualification in Engineering

Education

2 A-Levels including Maths, Engineering, Electronics, or Physics

Level 3 qualification in Engineering

Job description

About us

The teams in Control are focused on ensuring the network is secure, contingencies are in place and lost supplies are restored as safely and quickly as possible, minimising customer minutes lost and customer interruptions.

Based within our two Operational Centres, our Control Centres are the heartbeat of our operations, monitoring the system in real time, minimising risk of danger and managing security and faults. Control Centre teams also liaise with National Grid Electricity Transmission and the Government to manage national network demand and monitor the potential for incidents or emergencies.

About The Role

As a Control Engineer Higher Apprentice you will be controlling the operation of the Company's high voltage distribution network up to 132kV. You will be responsible for ensuring that all high voltage operations are carried out within the Distribution Safety Rules and other appropriate Company policy.

Our efficiency and effectiveness impacts on all five National Grid key customer promises, so we work collectively and collaboratively to ensure we deliver on safety, network reliability, excellent customer service and business efficiency, all while protecting the environment.

Our Control Centres are the heartbeat of our operations, monitoring the system in real time, minimising risk and danger and managing security and faults. Control Centre teams also liaise with the Government to manage national network demand and monitor the potential for incidents or emergencies.

You will progress towards the role of a Shift Control Engineer within our Control Centre at Pegasus Business Park, Castle Donnington.

The training programme will take approximately 2½ years to complete, commencing September 2026, and will comprise of practical training and placements, alongside academic study towards a higher-level qualification. Upon completion of the training period and authorisation to switch at 11kV, successful candidates will be appointed to Grade 7. Please note that this role will involve shift working, including some weekends and bank holidays, as our Control Centres operate 24/7/365.

Placements in the training programme will include specialist areas such as: Protection, Operational Switching, Transformer Maintenance, Design Team, Network Analysis, DSO Control Systems, Operational Support, Control Room, and National Grid Telecoms, all of which will require the candidate to flexible in relation to travelling to other National Grid (NGED) locations.

The majority of the on-the-job training will take place within local teams, but you may be required to undertake placements at other locations across the NGED service area. This will include periods at one of our Contact Centres or Dispatch Units.

Reporting to the Control Team Manager, you will be expected to collect and document evidence of your progression in the scheme by producing and submitting reports. On-job learning and progression will be supported by regular meetings with your manager, and you be assigned a mentor to support you, with an expectation that you drive your progression towards successful completion.

Transportation will be either via public transport or the Apprentice's own vehicle, recompensed as per the expense guidance. Only in very exceptional circumstances as determined by the Head of Control Centres will a pool car be authorised.

What You'll Need

In addition to the below qualifications, you are required to hold a GCSE in English AND Maths (Grade A*-C/9-4)

Our minimum entry criteria require the following qualifications (held or predicted):

• 2 A-Levels at grade A*-C, one of which must be Maths, Engineering, Electronics, or Physics
• OR a level 3 or above qualification in an Engineering based subject which contains Electrical or Electronic modules.

If your qualifications are predicated, you must receive your confirmed results prior to the commencement of the scheme.

If you are offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.

Whatever qualifications you hold, we will need to see evidence of them for you to be considered. If possible, please upload evidence of the required qualifications with your application. These can be scanned or photographed and attached as a PDF document.

Start date is September 2026. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training. Annual leave whilst working within the scheme period will need to be agreed at suitable times to coincide with the training programme.

If you are offered a position, you may be required to undertake and successfully complete a BS7858 security screening check before commencing in the role, with a National Security Vetting SC check being completed within the first twelve months as a condition of appointment.

As the post you are applying for attracts a National Security Vetting clearance there are further eligibility requirements, information can be found on the gov.uk website. To meet national security vetting requirements, you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years for Security Clearance (SC) prior to the date of application. There are exceptions to this however and examples of these include:

• you have been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
• you were studying abroad
• you were living overseas with parents

If you have any further queries relating to National Security Vetting, please email [e-mail]

Operationally we require you to live within approximately 45 minutes of the depot you are applying for Castle Donington, (DE74 2TU)

Please only submit one application. If you appear to be a good match for more than one location, we will consider your suitability during the process. Multiple applications will not be considered.

What You'll Get

Joining the UK's leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition, which is why we offer a competitive starting salary of £28,151. You will then see your salary increase as you become more experienced, following the timeline below:

• Year 2 - £37,770
• Year 3 - £47,197
• Completion - £61,136

• 23 days annual leave, raising to 26 upon completion of the training programme
• Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
• Earn whilst you learn and receive a fully funded qualification
• Develop well-rounded skills, learning from experienced and qualified professionals in the industry

Our Values and Principles

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any adjustments that you require.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.

*National Grid's Apprenticeship programme in the UK is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Applicants for our Apprenticeship programmes should be aware that we are unable to provide sponsorship if you require a visa for our apprenticeship programmes.

Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as were not able to provide advice on this.

For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

At National Grid, it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger, so we pride ourselves on placing diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do and are committed to building a workforce of the future which represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office where and when needed. All our offers are based on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, the innovation from creating diverse teams and perspectives, as well as business need.