2026 Overhead Lines Engineer Higher Apprentice (Pelham), Asset Operations

National Grid; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in the UK is looking for apprentices to join their Overhead Line teams. This role offers practical training in electrical engineering, a starting salary of £31,310, and opportunities for career advancement upon completion of the three-year program. Successful candidates will gain valuable skills, safety training, and a Level 4 qualification in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays

£250 bonus depending on performance

Pension contribution scheme

Discounted shares option

Financial support for study

Professional membership subscription

Discounts on retailers through 'My Discounts' scheme

Qualifications

• You must have a valid driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK.
• Must be able to live away from home during training.
• This is a physically active role with outdoor work.

Responsibilities

• Develop projects and safe systems for overhead line work.
• Manage operational overhead line team's resources.
• Respond to overhead line faults as they occur.
• Shadow experienced engineers to gain skills.
• Receive Health and Safety training.

Skills

Maths

Communication

Proactive attitude

Education

Two A-Levels including Maths

Five GCSEs including Maths and English

Job description

About the Role

Ensuring the future of electricity transmission.

We don’t think of engineering as a job, we think of it as a legacy – a way of passing on a brighter energy future and keeping the lights on.

Would you like to be part of it? Our three‑year Higher Apprenticeship Overhead Line programme will train you to become an engineer in one of our Overhead Line teams.

You’ll learn everything about Overhead Lines, including the types of conductors, fittings, and insulator systems that are installed. You’ll also gain knowledge regarding safety from the system, general safety, overhead line refurbishment & maintenance methods, technical support, 3rd party requests, and fault fixing.

At the end of the three years, you’ll have a HTQ in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (HNC). Most importantly, you’ll have a job waiting for you!

A job where the decisions you make will impact the transmission of electricity in England and Wales for the next 40 or 50 years. A job where you’ll be delivering maintenance work, replacing and refurbishing assets, and fixing mechanical and electrical issues. A job that helps connect energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar farms to the transmission network.

Eventually, you will train to become an Overhead Line Project Leader and take responsibility for the safety of your co‑workers. If that sounds like something that you’d like to be part of, we’d be very interested in talking to you!

Responsibilities

• Developing projects and safe systems of work for setting staff to work in accordance with safe practices, procedures and risk assessments
• Supporting the day‑to‑day management of the operational overhead line team’s resources and assets
• Responding to overhead line faults and defects as they occur
• Developing your specialist technical skills to deliver a wide variety of OHL projects safely, on time and to budget
• Developing your skills and experience towards enacting the roles of Project Leader, Temporary Works Coordinator and Principal Contractors Representative
• Shadowing experienced OHL engineers across the full range of operational work to gain new skills and knowledge whilst in the field.
• Receiving Health and Safety training leading to role specific authorisations.
• Working away from home and work in a variety of zones/geographical areas to develop your skills

Location

You must live within 45 minutes of SG9 0JA to be considered for this role.

About You

You are driven and proactive with an appetite for continuous improvement. You know how to build on your existing knowledge and skills and have the enthusiasm to run with things and to try to make them better. You’re articulate and know how to communicate appropriately with a variety of people.

You are a flexible multitasker who can do multiple jobs at the same time and still pay great attention to detail. It doesn’t matter if you’re not academically dazzling; we want practical people with engineering mindsets who are really keen to apply themselves.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Two A‑Levels, including Maths graded C or above, or a BTEC which includes a Maths or engineering module.
• Five GCSEs including Maths and English Language graded 4(C).
• A valid driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK 3 months before your start date.
• You must be able to live away from home, primarily at our Eakring academy, in Nottinghamshire. You will also spend some of your time at college studying.

This is a physically active role that may include occasional working at height, manual handling, and some outdoor work in varied conditions. Applicants should be confident in their ability to meet these demands safely and effectively, with reasonable adjustments considered in line with our commitment to equal opportunities.

What You’ll Get

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £31,310.

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Higher Apprenticeship Programme is like no other! You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, understand what a career with us can offer, and receive some great rewards and benefits:

• You’ll be working towards a Level 4 qualification in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (HNC)
• 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays
• You could earn a £250 bonus, depending on performance
• Our double‑matched pension contribution scheme means your pension could be worth up to 18 % of your salary
• There is the option to buy discounted National Grid shares
• Financial support for study relevant to your role is available
• We’ll pay for one professional membership subscription

Our ‘My Discounts’ scheme offers discounts on everything from the weekly shop to your annual summer holidays. You’ll find savings on cinema tickets and at a range of high‑street retailers, including Sainsburys, John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Marks & Spencer.

National Grid is committed to the personal development of our staff. Joining us, you’ll be supported as you develop a wide range of business and technical skills through structured training and on‑the‑job experience. You’ll work closely with your line manager to establish and navigate through a Personal Development Plan that is tailored to your needs.

About National Grid

National Grid is at the heart of the energy future, and our people are at the heart of National Grid. We’re 30,000 colleagues strong. In the UK, National Grid doesn’t generate or sell energy – we join the dots to get energy from A to B. From making a cup of tea in the morning to keeping the lights on in hospitals, our electricity network puts power in the hands of people. Without it, the world as we know it would grind to a halt.

The world of energy is changing beyond recognition as we focus on building a cleaner, greener future. Working at National Grid, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in the UK – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

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.

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 based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process.

Assessment centres will be held between January – April 2026.

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.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points‑based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

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

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