2026 Electricity Network Planning Engineer Higher Apprentice, Network Operations, Warwick

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An energy company in the UK seeks an Electricity Network Planning Engineer Higher Apprentice to manage projects for its electricity network. Responsibilities include planning, collaboration with experts, and interpreting data for asset prioritization. Applicants should have five GCSEs and A-Levels in STEM subjects. The role offers a starting salary of £31,310, flexible benefits, and a pathway to a permanent position upon completion.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits including cycle-to-work

Share incentive plans

Permanent position after apprenticeship

Qualifications

• Minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).
• Achieve two A-Levels at grade C or above in a STEM subject.
• Valid UK driving licence within the first 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Plan and package projects, organizing maintenance and upgrades.
• Collaborate with engineers to create achievable project timelines.
• Interpret asset data to prioritize projects.

Skills

Project planning

Collaboration

Data analysis

Flexible working

Education

Five GCSEs (including English, Maths, Science)

Two A-Levels (including one STEM subject)

BTEC National Certificate in a STEM discipline

Job description

About the role

As an Electricity Network Planning Engineer Higher Apprentice at National Grid, you’ll be part of the Electricity Transmission Network Operations and Intelligence team, helping to keep the UK’s energy flowing safely and efficiently. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our electricity network is well‑maintained and ready to meet the demands of a cleaner, greener future.

You will be part of a team driving innovation projects to strengthen the network and support the UK's journey to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. From planning how we upgrade our systems to helping deliver more clean energy across the country, your work will directly contribute to building a more sustainable world.

Within the role you will learn how the network operates, collaborate with teams across the business, and contribute to delivering complex projects on time, on budget, and to high standards.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and package projects, helping to organise and bundle different types of work including maintenance, upgrades and customer connections into efficient, deliverable plans.
• Work with experts across teams, collaborating with engineers, planners and customer teams to create realistic and achievable project timelines.
• Understand asset priorities by interpreting asset data and strategies to help decide which projects should be prioritised.
• Balance complex investments and support the planning of large‑scale investments, ensuring they are scheduled in the most cost‑effective and efficient way.
• Keep plans accurate and up to date by regularly reviewing and updating your project portfolio, ensuring all data is correct and timelines are achievable.

Location

This role is based in the office headquarters in Warwick and offers flexible, hybrid working. You will also spend time at Loughborough College to study for your HTQ in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering and our National Grid Training Academy in Eakring, Nottinghamshire to complete a variety of in‑house, specialist training programmes.

About You

• Minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, Maths and a Science.
• Have or be predicted to achieve two A‑Levels at grade C or above including one STEM subject, or a BTEC National Certificate, or a Diploma Level 3 in a STEM discipline at Grade Merit or Distinction.
• Valid UK driving licence within the first 12 months of starting the programme.

You don’t need prior work experience; determination and the will to succeed are far more important as we will teach you everything you need to know. The role will provide you with a variety of transferrable skills to support your career development within National Grid.

What You’ll Get

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £31,310 for this apprenticeship, which will increase annually. As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Higher Apprenticeship programmes give you an insight into how we work at National Grid, understand what a career with us can offer, and receive great rewards and benefits.

• Upon successful completion of your 2‑year apprenticeship, you will achieve a nationally recognised accredited qualification: a Level 4 HTQ in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering.
• 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays.
• Pension scheme and ShareSave options.
• Flexible benefits including cycle‑to‑work and holiday buy/sell.
• Opportunity to enrol in our ShareSave/share incentive plans.
• Development of well‑rounded practical skills.
• A permanent position upon successful completion of your apprenticeship.

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the energy future, and our people are at the heart of National Grid. We join the dots to get energy from A to B, keeping lights on in hospitals, homes and workplaces. We are 30,000 colleagues strong and committed to building a cleaner, greener future.

Our values and principles

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any adjustments you require.

Further Information

You can only apply for one Apprenticeship opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications. Assessment centres will be held between January and April 2026. The 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. Sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system is not normally offered, except in exceptional circumstances.