Jointer Advanced Apprentice

National Grid; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in the UK is seeking apprentices for the role of Jointer. You'll engage in underground cable engineering tasks, including cable laying, fault location, and construction of substations. The apprenticeship takes around three years to complete, offering on-the-job training and a City & Guilds Level 2 Qualification in Electrical Engineering. We're looking for candidates with strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for the energy sector.

Benefits

23 days annual leave + statutory holidays

Competitive pension scheme (double matched up to 12%)

Employee Assistance Programme

Protective clothing and safety equipment supplied

Qualifications

• Candidates must achieve at least Grade 4 in GCSE English, Maths, and Science.
• Experience in relevant industry preferred.
• Apprenticeship can be adjusted based on previous qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Construct distribution substations and lay cables.
• Locate faults and make repairs on underground cables.
• Ensure safety measures are followed on work sites.
• Conduct cable jointing and terminations for various voltage levels.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem-solving skills

Logical thinking

Team working

Physical fitness

Adventurous

Safety awareness

Resilient

Education

GCSE in English Language (grade 4 and above)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4 and above)

GCSE in Science (grade 4 and above)

GCSE in 2 other subjects (grade 4 and above)

Other relevant qualifications in English or Maths (grade Pass)

Job description

Jointers are underground cable engineers who carry out excavation, cable laying, reinstatement and fault location on LV cables. Join us, and we'll see you participate in craft skills activities on the LV, HV and EHV (Low, High & Extremely high voltage) network. You'll help with network operations, connect generators and services and organise your own projects. You'll also:

Responsibilities

• Construct distribution substations, excavate, lay and joint cables, and terminate cables to the plant
• Carry out routine inspection, locate faults and make repairs on underground cables and equipment
• Record asset details and positions
• Locate and identify cables, test insulation, phasing and continuity
• Test earthing, voltage, phasing and phase rotation
• Carry out switching operations on the LV network
• Connect generators
• Organise your own projects: review drawings, instructions or information to understand tasks (e.g., work instructions, complex wiring diagrams, design specifications, utility plans, online search documents)
• Prioritise and plan work with consideration for safety, environmental impact, quality, and cost
• Identify and organise resources to complete tasks
• Receive and clear a safety document (permit to work). Brief a working party
• Report or escape issues outside limits of responsibility
• Identify apparatus to be worked on
• Interpret network schematic diagrams and geographic records to identify running arrangements
• Identify hazards and risks and apply control measures
• Apply health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance
• Carry out visual inspection to identify evidence of overhead services and buried utilities. Use electronic locating equipment and mark positions of services and sub‑structures on the work site
• Apply measures to leave power work environments in a safe condition
• Respond in the event of an emergency first aid situation including situations where there is electrical risk
• Conduct plant or vehicle checks
• Segregate waste for reuse, recycling and waste transfer
• Apply sustainability principles e.g., minimising waste
• Apply security measures
• Select, check, prepare, use or operate and store personal tools and equipment
• Set up spiking gun
• Install cables and apply protection
• Follow live working procedures
• Joint and terminate cables (modern XPLE insulated, PVC sheathed, and paper insulated lead sheath) for low‑voltage cable networks using cable connectors including fitting and terminating services into cut‑outs. Apply system earthing connections and joint protection
• Joint and terminate cables (modern XPLE and paper insulated) using joint kits on high‑voltage cables up to 11 kV operating voltage. Apply joint protection
• Receive phasing colours for HV jointing tasks and interpret phasing diagrams
• Make and break live conductor connections on LV underground networks
• Perform testing procedures before and after making and breaking connections
• Identify fault and test to find the fault condition
• Conduct fault diagnosis on underground cable networks to identify underlying cause
• Make recommendations for the repair or restoration of plant or apparatus based on the findings of diagnostic procedures
• Erect and maintain signage, lighting and guarding
• Monitor works using mechanical excavators (banksman)
• Inspect excavation arrangements before work for safe access and egress
• Identify areas for improvement (e.g., quality, cost, time, safety, and environmental impact)
• Apply team‑working principles
• Communicate with others to give and receive information (e.g., colleagues, customers, stakeholders)
• Record information
• Produce or amend documents (e.g., handover notes, procedures, reports)
• Use digital and information technology. Follow cyber‑security requirements and comply with GDPR
• Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities

Apprenticeship Programme

The apprenticeship programme takes approximately three years to complete. You'll spend your first 12 weeks being inducted into the programme at one of our training centres. You'll earn while you learn, and develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a Power Networks Craftsperson, achieving a City & Guilds Level 2 Qualification in Electrical Engineering. Your training will include periods of on‑the‑job training and development, learning from an experienced and qualified Jointer. Following a formal assessment of your knowledge, skills and behaviours, you'll become a qualified Jointer yourself.

Qualifications

• GCSE in 2 other subjects (grade 4 and above)
• English Language (grade 4 and above)
• Maths (grade 4 and above)
• Science (grade 4 and above)
• Other in: English or Maths (grade Pass). Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem‑solving skills
• Logical thinking
• Team working
• Physical fitness
• Adventurous
• Safety awareness
• Resilient

Benefits

• 23 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• Competitive pension scheme (double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Protective clothing and safety equipment supplied

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. Net‑zero targets are transforming the way we work and increasing the scope of the positive impact we can make. Right now, we're looking for apprentices to join us. Our people in Network Services work across a number of teams to keep the electrical network reliable and safe.