2026 Project Controls Technician Advanced Apprentice Kent (Sellindge), National Grid Ventures

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A major energy company in the United Kingdom is seeking an Apprentice Assistant Planner to assist in scheduling activities on major projects. The role offers valuable training in project controls and planning tools, with a competitive salary of £31,310. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain a recognized qualification while contributing to important energy projects. Flexibility to travel is essential as the position requires site visits and training across the UK.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + statutory holidays

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits including cycle to work

Qualifications

• Must achieve GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Ability to work to challenging deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and scheduling of major projects.
• Assist with development and maintenance of project plans.
• Work with internal teams to gather progress updates.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Flexibility to travel

Education

Minimum of five GCSEs including English and Maths

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

About the Role

Accelerating a Clean Energy Future - Advanced Apprentice Assistant Planner Opportunity

At National Grid Ventures (NGV) Interconnectors, our vision is to accelerate a clean, secure, and affordable energy future through world-class interconnection and offshore assets.

We're offering an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Assistant Planner to join our Project Controls Team within the Construction Directorate. During your apprenticeship, you'll support the planning and scheduling of key activities on major projects, including the Future of IFA and our pioneering Offshore Hybrid Asset developments.

In this role, you'll play a vital part in building and maintaining project schedules that keep everything on track. Your work will help ensure timelines are realistic, achievable, and aligned with successful delivery outcomes.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Develop valuable planning and project control skills.
• Build a strong foundation for a career in construction planning and the energy industry.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of Construction project plans, acting as a point of contact for programme‑related queries.
• Support with reviewing and monitoring contractor programmes in line with contractual requirements.
• Understand project planning tools and techniques, such as Primavera P6.
• Attend planning and scheduling meetings with stakeholders, providing support and capturing key actions and updates.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to gather progress updates and help prepare reports for the Project Manager and senior leadership.
• Support the preparation and delivery of project performance data, schedules, and reports in a clear and timely manner.
• Help identify and communicate any issues or risks within the programme to the leadership team, offering planning insights where appropriate.

Location

This role is primarily based at our Sellindge Interconnector site in Ashford, Kent, with a minimum on‑site presence of two days per week. You will also be required to travel to other locations, including other interconnector sites, training venues, and our head office in Warwick.

Please note that this role involves frequent travel and multiple overnight stays away from home, particularly during training periods and project delivery phases.

About You

The requirements for this role are as follows:

• You will have or be predicted to achieve a minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English language and Maths or equivalent.
• You must already have a full valid UK driving licence 3 months before starting.
• You will be flexible to travel when required, including frequent overnight stays away from home in pre‑booked accommodation.
• Be based at Sellindge (Ashford), Kent, with occasional travel to other Interconnector sites.
• Committed to attend training across the UK, including at National Grid’s training centre in Eakring.
• Have the ability to work to challenging deadlines, strong analytical skills and decision making.
• A self‑starter with excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

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 programmes are 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:

• Experience working with P6 planning software (Project Scheduling and Planning software for construction, engineering, utilities)
• Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship you will achieve a nationally recognised accredited qualification, Level 3 Project Controls Technician
• 25 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• Pension scheme and Sharesave options
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work, buy/sell holiday to name a few
• Opportunity to enrol in our sharesave/share incentive plans
• You’ll develop well‑rounded skills through practical experience
• A permanent position upon successful completion of your Apprenticeship

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