Planner Higher Apprentice - Ashford

National Grid plc; Ashford; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Planner in the Higher Apprenticeship Programme, where you will embark on an exciting journey towards a rewarding engineering career. This unique opportunity allows you to gain invaluable insights into the energy industry while contributing to the UK's transition to a net zero energy future. You'll be involved in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of HVDC interconnectors, collaborating with a diverse team and developing essential skills in stakeholder management, problem-solving, and planning. With a competitive starting salary and a commitment to personal development, this is your chance to shape the future of energy in the UK.

Benefits

26 days annual leave + statutory holidays

Competitive pension scheme

Sharesave options

High-quality personal development

Electrical power networks engineer apprenticeship (Level 4)

Qualifications

• A levels in Maths and a science or equivalent qualifications required.
• GCSE in Maths and English Language at grade 5 or higher is essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and efficient operational running of HVDC Interconnectors.
• Support Operations with the highest level of operational performance.

Skills

Health, Safety & Environment

Stakeholder management

Interpersonal skills

Analysing and solving problems

Risk awareness

Planning & organising

Education

2 A levels at grade A-C in Maths and a science

GCSE in Maths and English Language grade 5 or higher

Level 3 in an Engineering discipline grade Merit or higher

Job description

Department: Higher Apprenticeship Programme

Job Function:

National Grid Interconnectors is at the heart of UK’s transition to our net zero energy future, operating a number of HVDC interconnectors that connect the UK’s energy system to some of our closest neighbours, allowing energy to be imported to and exported from the UK. As well as already owning a portfolio of HVDC Interconnectors, we’re working on developing new projects to ensure that we can meet the UK’s future demands for greener energy solutions.

Our Operations team are responsible for ensuring safe and efficient operational running of the HVDC Interconnectors 24 hours, 365 days per year. The Planning team supports Operations having a critical role ensuring the highest level of operational performance.

This is an ideal role for someone looking to develop their engineering career as a Planner in the following core behaviours:

• Health, Safety & Environment: follows health, safety and environmental policies and procedures and is prepared to challenge unsafe behaviour using appropriate techniques to ensure the protection of people and property when working alone and/or with teams. Demonstrates high concentration and the desire to reduce risks through regular monitoring and checking information.
• Stakeholder management: is proactive in identifying their stakeholders and managing their expectations, presenting appropriate information to them clearly and concisely.
• Interpersonal skills: works well with people from different disciplines, backgrounds and expertise. Takes others’ needs and concerns into account and supports them to accomplish an activity safely and on time.
• Analysing and solving problems: takes responsibility for solving problems by identifying and analysing the issues and drawing logical, sound solutions that benefit customers and the business.
• Risk awareness: has the embedded desire to reduce risks through systematic monitoring and checking of information identifying mitigation actions on an ongoing basis to achieve safe systems of work.
• Planning & organising: takes a forward-looking perspective when considering the delivery of decisions, activities and projects and ensures plans are in place to manage anticipated issues, considers contingency planning.

Location: This role is based in our Sellindge site near Ashford. There will be semi-regular visits to interconnector sites. Training will take place at our training facility in Eakring (Nottinghamshire) throughout the Apprenticeship and regular travel here will be required.

About you:

2 A levels at grade A-C in Maths and a science or equivalent (Level 3 in an Engineering discipline grade Merit or higher, National Certificate in Engineering etc).

GCSE in Maths and English Language grade 5 or higher.

Must have or be working towards a full UK driving licence.

What you'll get:

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £29,819. 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:

• 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• A competitive ‘match and double’ pension scheme
• Sharesave options, plus other flexible benefits
• Three years of high-quality personal development
• Electrical power networks engineer apprenticeship (Level 4)

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 don’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 2025.

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.

Applicants for our Apprenticeship programmes should be aware that we are unable to provide sponsorship if you require a visa for our apprenticeship programmes. Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we are not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit gov.uk.