OHL Trainee

A new career at height — reskill into a specialist Overhead Lines role

If you’re comfortable and/or experienced at height, enjoy working outdoors, and want to retrain into a highly skilled, future-proof profession, our Overhead Lines (OHL) Training Scheme offers a clear and supported route into the electricity transmission industry. (This advert has a lot of information please read it all to fully understand the requirements).

Our brand new 12-month accelerated programme is designed specifically for career changers from related industries — people who already understand site safety, tools, and physical work, and are ready to apply those skills in a new, specialist environment helping keep electricity flowing across England and Wales.

This opportunity is ideal if you’re currently working in — or have experience in — areas such as:

• Construction or civil engineering.
• Mechanical trades.
• Telecoms, utilities, rail or highways.
• Scaffolding, rope access, wind or tower work.
• Armed forces or other safety-critical environments.
• Hobbyist – Climbing.

You don’t need previous overhead line experience — we’ll train you. What matters is that you bring practical ability, the right mindset, and you are comfortable and/or experienced at height.

The programme provides a clear, structured pathway into an Overhead Lines career, combining:

• On-the-job learning with experienced OHL teams on site.
• Formal training at the National Grid Academy in Eakring (Nottinghamshire).
• Completion of a Level 3 Diploma.
• Staged practical assessments and a competence portfolio.
• Learn how to use working at height equipment such as hoists, rigging, slinging and mechanical plant.

You’ll be supported throughout by dedicated overhead line trainers and on‑site mentors, helping you transfer your existing skills into a new technical discipline. On successful completion, you’ll progress into a permanent Overhead Linesperson role.

We have 6 Locations and number of positions required at each location, you can choose your location on application:

• West Boldon, South Tyneside x 1.
• Staythorpe, Newark On Trent x 1.
• A salary of £33,323 pa plus expenses for the period of initial training.
• Starting salary on successful completion of the training scheme £40,581 pa + £1,871 Seasonal working allowance, increasing up to £45,089 with experience.
• All PPE + Company vehicle - business use only.
• Contribution Pension scheme up to max total 18%.
• 26 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays with option to buy/sell holidays.
• More information on benefits - Benefits | National Grid Careers

• You can commit to a Fixed Term Contract for 12 months on a salary of £33,323 pa.
• Min NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Construction, engineering or Mechanical discipline.
• Comfortable and/or experienced at height.
• Practical skills.
• A full UK driving licence.
• A strong commitment to safety, quality and teamwork.
• Willingness to travel within around 1.5 hours of your base location, with opportunities to work nationally.
• You live within 30 minutes commute of the following sites:
• West Boldon, South Tyneside.
• Staythorpe, Newark On Trent.
• Fleet, Hampshire.

This face‑to‑face approach allows us to assess practical skills safely and gives you a realistic insight into the role and environment.

• Assessment date:
  Monday 9, Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March.
• Time – 10.00am – 3.00pm.
• Assessment format:
  Face‑to‑face.
• Location:
  
  National Grid Training Academy, Kirklington Road, Eakring, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0DA
  .
• Travel – You’ll make your own way there, expenses will be paid up to £100 (keep all receipts).
• What to expect:
  Practical hand‑skills, Colour Blindness and height‑confidence assessments alongside interviews.
• Time commitment:
  Please allow a full day.
• Decision on assessment outcomes – End of March.

At National Grid Overhead Linesperson’s play a critical role at the heart of the UK’s electricity transmission system, carrying out hands‑on work high above the ground. Your role will include:

• Working at height on electricity transmission towers up to 50 metres (164ft)
• Inspecting, maintaining and repairing overhead line equipment
• Supporting fault response and system recovery
• Contributing to major infrastructure and upgrade projects
• Working as part of a close‑knit team in outdoor, safety‑critical environments
• Travelling up to 1.5 hours from your base, with opportunities to work nationally

A challenging and varied role where no two days are the same — offering real responsibility, teamwork and the chance to keep the UK powered.

This is more than just a training scheme – it's your chance to be at the forefront of the UK’s energy transformation. If you’re ready to future‑proof your career while helping power the nation, apply for the OHL Training scheme today.