Address
Form of work
SalaryThe Apprenticeship programme takes around 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 2 Qualification in Electrical Engineering. Your Training will include periods of on the job training and development, learning from an experienced and qualified Craftsperson. Following a formal assessment of your knowledge, skills and behaviours, you’ll become a qualified Craftsperson yourself.
A Power Networks Craftsperson has responsibility for the safe construction, maintenance and repair of the electrical power network. You’ll work on distribution systems up to 66kV (or 132kV if in a Projects team). You can be a Jointer, Fitter, or Overhead Linesperson. We have one Overhead, one Fitter (Projects Team) and two Jointer positions available at our Exeter depot.
Whichever pathway you pursue, you’ll represent National Grid and carry out work handed down by other areas of the business.
Ready to power up your career? Join us and impact the way people heat, light and fuel their homes, business and vehicles. Keep reading and apply!
*Details in these videos are correct but the previous company name 'Western Power Distribution' is in use, soon to be updated to National Grid.
About UsWe’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the Electricity Distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver 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.
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 Operations work across a number of teams to keep the lights on for our customers. They might be helping a customer who has lost supply or supporting a developer building a multi-million pound project.
They maintain a 24/7 service from faults and maintenance, asset replacement to new connections, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts, their work is critical to everything we do.
Main ResponsibilitiesOur Trades
Underground cable engineer (Jointer). Our jointers carry out jointing techniques up to 66kV*, including excavation, cable laying, reinstatement and fault location on LV cables
Overhead lines engineer (Linesperson). Our Overhead Lines teams carry out the construction, maintenance, replacement and repair of overhead lines up to and including 66kV*.
Substation fitting engineer (Fitter). Our fitters carry out the annual maintenance of plant and switchgear up to 66kV*. They’re also responsible for the programming and monitoring of immediate work colleagues and switching up to 66kV*, among other tasks.
*Projects teams work up to voltages of 132kV
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 distribution substations, construct and alter overhead lines, install plant, lay and joint cables, terminate cables to plant and overhead lines
Carry out routine inspection, maintenance and repairs of underground, overhead, substation and protection 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
Write outage requests and switching programmes for simple outages
Weight restrictions apply to overhead and fitting trades based around Personal Fall Protective Equipment, including harnesses and other equipment such as ladders. If in doubt, please contact nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk
Our Culture
6,700 colleagues share our vision to be at the heart of a clean, fair, affordable energy future. If this appeals to you too, you could soon work in a supportive, rewarding and friendly environment that empowers everyone to succeed. We live by our values of doing the right thing, finding a better way and using our drive to make things happen every day. That’s why we’ll help you build a worthwhile career to be proud of – whatever your role and passion. Together we can bring energy to life using your enthusiasm and the latest technology.
The Ideal CandidateWe need you to have 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 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.
Start date September 2024. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.
Operationally we require you to live within approximately 30 minutes of the depot you are applying for. If you appear to be a good match for more than one location, we will consider your suitability during the process. Please only submit one application as multiple applications will not be considered.
Your Benefits
Joining the UK’s leading Electricity Distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive starting salary of £16,776, you’ll have 23 days annual leave (26 when you complete training), plus 8 bank holidays. In Year 2 your salary will increase to £21,282 and in your development role which you are anticipate to reach after 2 and a half years, your salary will increase to £29,425. Your eventual Craftsperson’s salary will be £39,409. You can use our competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%), and you could even benefit from our annual Share Save plan. We supply your protective clothing and safety equipment, and there’s free parking at all our main sites. Our Employee Assistance Programme is there to take care of you and includes musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services if you need them.
About The CompanyWe are an equal opportunities employer. Our desire is to bring in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build further on our inclusive culture. We value and celebrate individual difference and we believe that an inclusive culture will help the business grow as a positive, strong and innovative company. We anonymise all jobs in our recruitment system, so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information after shortlisting has taken place and before interview so they can prepare.
Additional Application Information
Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, so please do check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.
Should you have any questions or require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
