Substation Higher Apprentice - Teeside

NATIONAL GRID PLC

Middlesbrough, TS6 8DN

Closes on Friday 28 February

Posted on 23 December 2024


Summary

At National Grid, we see engineering as more than just a job - it's a legacy, a way to shape a brighter energy future and keep the lights on. Would you like to be part of it? How about working for a company that powers every single person in England and Wales? A company that invests billions in Net Zero and creating a sustainable energy future?

Annual wage
£29,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

You’ll get 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays We have a double-matched pension contribution scheme There is the option to buy discounted National Grid shares We will pay for one professional membership subscription

Training course
Electrical power protection and plant commissioning engineer (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

3 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Our three-year Higher Apprenticeship Substations programme will train you to become an engineer in our substations. Here, we transform high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity, making it usable for homes and businesses.

During your training, you'll learn about

  • Testing equipment
  • Safety protocols
  • System protection and control
  • Substation refurbishment, maintenance, technical support, problem diagnosis, and fault fixing.

This job will have a significant impact on the transmission of electricity in England and Wales for the next 40 or 50 years. You'll be involved in maintenance work, asset replacement and refurbishment, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues, and connecting new customers. You'll also play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar farms into the transmission network.

As you progress, you may even commission new equipment and take on responsibilities for the safety of your co-workers. If this sounds like the kind of opportunity you'd like to be part of, we're very interested in talking to you!

Where you’ll work

Rosedene

Old Lackenby

Middlesbrough

TS6 8DN

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

NATIONAL GRID PLC

Your training course

Electrical power protection and plant commissioning engineer (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents
  • Apply sound engineering and analytical processes to both normal and abnormal conditions on high voltage power generation, transmission & distribution plant & equipment
  • Apply safe working practices in line with company processes and legislative requirements
  • Use of a wide range of test equipment to confirm the suitability of the high voltage plant for conformity and operational service
  • Accurately read and interpret a wide range of engineering diagrams and drawings
  • Prepare and check technical reports
  • Effectively communicate with others to confirm that the tests meet the required standards/specifications
  • O1: Undertake testing, commissioning and maintenance activities on electrical power systems and equipment. This could include transformers, switchgear, conductors, battery systems and ancillary equipment
  • O2: Undertake protection, testing, commissioning and maintenance activities involving functionality testing and the injection of currents and voltages into high voltage equipment and their associated protection and control systems to simulate the range of fault conditions and scenarios that can occur on the electrical system
  • O2: Use appropriate test equipment to verify protection and control settings and ensure correct installation and operation of modern microprocessor and numerical based protection as well as older electromechanical relays
  • O2:Ensure that protection systems interface correctly with the associated high voltage equipment and, where necessary, coordinates effectively with the wider high voltage system

Your training plan

  • Initially you will be at our National Training Centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire for your Induction period which is around six weeks, then periodically for technical training.
  • In the first year, you will spend 70% of your time at the Eakring Training Centre with the remaining 30% on site (gathering site-based experience).
  • Year two will be 50/50 at Eakring and on site and in the third year 70% on site and 30% at Eakring training centre.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • 5 GCSES (or equivalent) incl. Maths and English (grade 4 and above)

A Level in:

  • 2 A-Levels incl either Maths or Physics (grade C or above)

T Level in:

  • Level 3 engineering qualification (grade Merit or Distinction)

BTEC in:

  • Level 3 engineering qualification (grade Merit or Distinction)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness
  • Reliable
  • Adaptable
  • Responsible
  • Safety

Other requirements

You must be able to live away from home; primarily at our Eakring academy in Nottinghamshire. Food and accommodation are provided as standard.

About this company

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.

https://www.nationalgrid.com/uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • By the end of the programme, you'll hold a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Power Network Electrical Power Protection & Plant Commissioning Engineer, and most importantly, have a job waiting for you!

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NATIONAL GRID PLC

box.ukapprentices@nationalgrid.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000293434.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 28 February

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.