Substation Engineer Advanced Apprentice Asset Operations

Programme Overview

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications or 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 2026.

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 is your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we are not able to provide advice on this.

• FIVE GCSEs, including passes in Maths and English Language (or equivalent) graded 4/C or above.
• Valid right to work in the UK, evidenced before programme start.
• Ability to obtain a driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK by the end of the first year.

• You are driven and proactive, with an appetite for continuous improvement.
• You are 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.
• You have an engineering mindset and are keen to apply yourself.

• Perform maintenance work on power transformers, main connections, and terminals.
• Repair different types of joints and work with air systems, batteries and environmental battery charger systems.
• Carry out maintenance, repair and monitoring of high‑voltage substation equipment, including circuit breakers, transformers, disconnectors, compressors and auxiliary systems.
• Follow strict safety guidelines, ensuring safety behaviours by not walking past, following process and rules and speaking up where things don't look right.

Your Advanced Apprenticeship Substations will train you to become a technician in one of our 347 substations. The training is 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.

You will also be paid over £24,000 a year, with free food, accommodation and travel. By the end of your first year you will need a driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK.

You will need to live away from home during your training, primarily at our Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire. Typically you will stay on‑site from Monday to Thursday and return home for the weekend (Friday to Sunday). The amount of time spent at Eakring will decrease as you progress:
Year 1 – around 75%;
Year 2 – around 50%;
Year 3 – around 25%.

This role is based across the Central region. You will be expected to travel around this region as part of your role. Due to the nature of this role you need to live within a 45‑minute drive of the following postcode: IP8 4JL
.

• Starting salary of £24,306.
• 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays.
• Potential £250 bonus, depending on performance.
• Double‑matched pension contribution scheme.
• Company payment of one professional membership subscription.
• My Discounts scheme offering savings on retail and leisure.

National Grid welcomes and encourages applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation that comes with diverse teams and business need.

We celebrate the unique differences people bring into our organisation and support employees to thrive, value and develop their potential.

We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and provide a working environment where everyone feels valued, respected, fairly treated and can reach their full potential.