Substation Engineer Advanced Apprentice Central

National Grid; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An electricity provider in the UK offers an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Technologies. Successful applicants will receive a salary of over £24,000 annually, coupled with benefits such as paid accommodation and travel. Apprentices will learn vital skills for maintaining high-voltage substations, playing a crucial role in energy transmission. The position demands a commitment to safety and adherence to industry standards, and applicants must have certain GCSE qualifications. This apprenticeship focuses on developing technical expertise and promoting personal growth.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus public holidays

Performance bonus of up to £250

Double-matched pension contribution

Professional membership subscription covered

Discounts through My Discounts scheme

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old by start date.
• Must obtain a valid driving licence within the first year.
• Commitment to safety in all tasks.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance and repair of high-voltage substation equipment.
• Learning and performing maintenance work on power transformers.
• Following strict safety guidelines.

Skills

Safety behaviours

Attention to detail

Engineering mindset

Education

Five GCSEs including Maths and English Language

Job description

Job Overview

You are driven and proactive, with an appetite for continuous improvement. You know how to build on your existing knowledge and skills and have the enthusiasm to run with things and to try to make them better. You're articulate and know how to communicate appropriately with different people. You are a flexible multitasker who can do multiple jobs at the same time and still pay great attention to detail. It's doesn't matter if you're not academically dazzling; we want practical people with engineering mindsets who are really keen to apply themselves.

Qualities & Requirements

• Our Advanced Apprenticeships are for people who have FIVE GCSEs, including passes in Maths and English Language (or equivalent) graded 4/C or above
• Due to the nature of this role, applicants for this position must be at least 18 years of age by the start date of the programme (1st September 2026)
• By the end of your first year, you'll need a driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK
• It's important that you deliver all works with safety being at the heart of all actions and decisions. Demonstrating safety behaviours by not walking past, following process and rules and speaking up where things don't look right.

Would you like to work for a company that makes electricity happen for every single person in England and Wales? A company that invests billions in Net Zero and creating a brighter energy future? On this apprenticeship you will be working towards a Level 3 EAL Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering Technologies. You will also be paid over £24,000 a year while you train, with free food, accommodation, and travel. The training is carried out through a combination of courses run at our Global Technical Training Centre of Excellence and on‑site training on real transmission equipment in a live substation environment. Our three‑year Advanced Apprenticeship Substations will train you to become a technician in one of our 347 substations. Our substations are instrumental in the transmission of high voltage electricity over England and Wales. Transforming high voltage electricity into low voltage electricity, which can be used in homes and businesses. Our technicians play a vital role in looking after our substations. Without their careful maintenance the safe, reliable supply of electricity simply could not happen. This apprenticeship will allow you to become one of them. You'll be learning to do things like maintenance work on power transformers, main connections, and terminals. You'll be repairing different types of joints and working with things such as air systems, batteries, and environmental battery charger systems. Following strict safety guidelines, you will carry out the maintenance, repair, and monitoring of high‑voltage substation equipment. This will include circuit breakers, transformers, disconnectors, compressors, and auxiliary systems. As you can probably tell, these apprenticeships are for people who really want to get stuck in. If that sounds like it might be you, we'd be very interested in receiving your application.

Location

This role is based across the Central region. This means you'll be expected to travel around this region as part of your role. Due to the nature of this role, you'll need to live within a 45 minute drive of the following postcode: NR14 8PG. National Grid is at the heart of the energy future, and our people are at the heart of National Grid.

Eligibility & Right to Work

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.

Benefits

• You'll get 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays
• You could earn a £250 bonus, depending on performance
• Double‑matched pension contribution scheme
• We will pay for one professional membership subscription.
• Our My Discounts scheme offers discounts on everything from the weekly shop to your annual summer holidays. You'll find savings on cinema tickets and at a range of high street retailers, including Sainsburys, John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Marks and Spencer.

Professional Development

National Grid is committed to the personal development of our staff. Joining us, you'll be supported as you develop a wide range of business and technical skills through structured training and on‑the‑job experience. You'll work closely with your line manager to establish and navigate through a Personal Development Plan that is tailored to your needs.

Diversity and Inclusion

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.