Overhead Lines Advanced Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution (Redruth)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £19,366

Annual salary progression

23 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Protective clothing provided

Cycle to work

Sharesave and SIP

EAP

Job summary

National Grid is offering a three-year apprenticeship to become a Power Networks Craftsperson. You’ll start with 12 weeks’ induction at a Training Centre, earn while you learn, and gain a City & Guilds Level 3 Qualification in Electrical Power Engineering.

On-the-job training will run alongside formal assessments to qualify you as an Overhead Linesperson. You’ll work on LV, HV, and EHV networks, carrying out construction, maintenance, testing and switching.

Qualifications

• GCSE English Language at Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 English required.
• GCSE Mathematics at Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Maths required.
• GCSE Science at Grade A*-C/9-4 or BTEC Science Level 2 equivalent required.
• Two other GCSEs A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 qualifications required.
• A Level 3 qualification in Electrical Engineering with GCSE Maths/English grade C or above is accepted as alternative.

Responsibilities

• Construct and alter overhead lines, install pole mounted plant and cables.
• Carry out routine inspection, maintenance and repairs of overhead equipment.
• Record asset routes, details and positions; record plant details.
• Locate and identify cables; test insulation and continuity on LV cables.
• Test earthing, voltage and phasing; perform LV switching operations.

Skills

Communication skills

Outdoor/adventure mindset

Safety awareness

Willingness to learn

Education

GCSE English Language A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 English

GCSE Mathematics A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Maths

GCSE Science A*-C/9-4 or BTEC Science Level 2

Two other GCSEs A*-C/9-4 or Level 2

Level 3 Electrical Engineering qualification + GCSE Maths/English C or above

Job description

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.

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
• Record plant details
• 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 Taunton Training Centre, Eakring Training Centre, and Taunton & Bridgewater 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.

• Year 2 - £24,938
• Year 2.5 (Development Role) - £32,473
• Year 3 - £37,770
• Completion - £43,491

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 Apprentices