Overhead Lines Advanced Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution (Milton Keynes)

National Grid Plc; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Travel costs covered

Protective clothing & safety equipment

Job summary

National Grid is offering an Overhead Lines Advanced Apprentice position in Milton Keynes. The 36-month programme leads to a City & Guilds Level 3 Qualification in Electrical Power Engineering, with on-site training, travel, and residential blocks at training centres.

You will gain hands-on experience on LV/HV/EHV circuits, join live network work, and develop skills in project planning, asset tracing, and safety procedures while earning a starting salary and progressing through annual increases.

Qualifications

• GCSE English Language at Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills English.
• GCSE Mathematics at Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills Maths.
• GCSE Science at Grade A*-C/9-4 or BTEC Science Level 2 equivalent.
• Two other GCSE's A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 qualifications in any subject.

Responsibilities

• Construct and alter overhead lines, install pole mounted plant, run and terminate cables to plant and overhead lines.
• Carry out routine inspection, maintenance and repairs of overhead equipment.
• Record asset routes, details and positions.
• Locate and identify cables, test insulation, phasing and continuity on LV cables.
• Test earthing, voltage, phasing and phase rotation.
• Carry out switching operations on the LV network.

Skills

Communication

Outdoor work

Safety awareness

Learning mindset

Education

GCSE English Language

GCSE Mathematics

GCSE Science

Level 3 Electrical Engineering

Job description

Overhead Lines Advanced Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution (Milton Keynes)

About the Position

The apprenticeship programme takes approximately three years to complete, and you’ll spend your first 12 weeks being inducted onto 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 3 Qualification in Electrical Power Engineering. Your training will include periods of on-the-job training and development, learning from an experienced and qualified Overhead Linesperson. Following a formal assessment of your knowledge, skills and behaviours, you’ll become a qualified Overhead Linesperson yourself.

Overhead Linespersons are overhead line engineers who work at height constructing, maintaining, testing, repairing and replacing overhead lines and equipment.

You will represent National Grid and carry out work handed down by other areas of the business.

What You'll Do

Join us, and we’ll see you participate in craft skills activities on the live LV network, on dead LV, HV and EHV circuits (live HV circuits if part of a Hot Glove team). You’ll help with network operations, connect generators and services and organise your own projects. You’ll also:

• Construct and alter overhead lines, install pole mounted plant, run and terminate cables to plant and overhead lines
• Carry out routine inspection, maintenance and repairs of overhead equipment
• Record asset routes, details and positions
• Locate and identify cables, test insulation, phasing and continuity on LV cables
• Test earthing, voltage, phasing and phase rotation
• Carry out switching operations on the LV network

What You'll Need to Apply

• Excellent communication skills; one moment, you could be speaking with customers, and the next, colleagues or internal stakeholders. Your success relies on your confidence to interact with the wider business.
• As you’ll be working outdoors, we need you to be adventurous and driven to work in all weather.
• Safety awareness is a must (you’ll follow safety instructions, use protective equipment and wear protective clothing), as is meeting deadlines.
• You’ll be resilient and willing to learn, genuinely passionate about your career and committed to studying. Curious problem solvers thrive here.

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

• GCSE English Language at Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills English
• GCSE Mathematics at Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills Maths
• GCSE Science at Grade A*-C/9-4 or BTEC Science Level 2 equivalent
• Two other GCSE's A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 qualifications in any subject.

You can also apply with a recognised Level 3 qualification in Electrical Engineering plus GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English. Please note: Electrical Installation qualifications are not accepted as an equivalent to Electrical Engineering qualifications and as a result you will be required to meet the minimum entry requirements detailed above. Whatever qualifications you hold, we will need to see evidence of them for you to be considered. Evidence of your qualification certificates will be required prior to appointment.

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.

Start date September 2027. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.

Location

Operationally we require you to live within a 30-minute journey of the depot you are applying for. 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.
For the intial 12-weeks you will regularly need to stay away from home to attend training at Tipton Training Centre, Eakring Training Centre, and Loughborough College. Acommodation will be provided in advance and travel costs will be covered, along with allowance for food and drinks. You will still stay away from home for the rest of your training period, but it will be far less frequent.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £19,366 for this apprenticeship, with annual salary increases throughout the programme following the timeline below.

Alongside a tailored development programme to power your career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too:

• Upon successful completion of your three year apprenticeship you will achieve a nationally recognised accredited qualification, City & Guilds Level 3 in Electrical Power Engineering
• 23 days annual leave (26 upon completion of training) + statutory holidays
• Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%)
• Protective clothing and safety equipment supplied
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work and holiday buy/sell schemes.
• The opportunity to participate in our Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans.
• You’ll develop well-rounded skills through practical experience.
• Employee Assistance Programme is there to take care of you and includes musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services if you need them
• A permanent position upon successful completion of your apprenticeship.

About the Apprenticeship Programme

Alongside your role, you'll complete a 36-month Level 3 Power Industry Jointer Advanced Apprenticeship. The programme combines technical study, National Grid training and practical workplace experience, helping you develop the skills required for a career in the electricity distribution industry.

Your development programme will include:

• Study at Loughborough College alongside dedicated time for coursework and assessments
• Specialist training at National Grid's Training Centre in Tipton, and some courses in Eakring.
• Practical Workplace learning and role‑related project work
• A City & Guilds Level 2 & 3 Dipoma in Electrical Power Engineering.

About National Grid

National Grid is the UK’s critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network and infrastructure that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day, supporting homes, businesses and communities across England and Wales.

Whilst National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), is the owner and operator behind our electricity distribution systems across the Midlands, Southwest of England and South Wales, who directly serve communities of more than 8 million people.

With our expert teams delivering heat, light and power for homes and businesses, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts. Supporting customers who have lost supply, or working on network faults, maintenance or new connections, their work is critical.

We know the future of energy won't be shaped by what we know today. It will be shaped by what's possible tomorrow. That's why we're investing in the next generation of talent, giving apprentices, undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to learn from experts, gain hands‑on experience and contribute to work that matters from day one.

Are you ready to unlock the power of the possible?

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.