Higher Apprenticeship – Trainee Design Engineer

About Us

We’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 Trainee Engineer's to join us. 

National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources which are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand. If this appeals to you too, you could soon work in a supportive, rewarding and friendly environment that empowers everyone to succeed.

We 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.

Job Introduction

Opportunities are available to join our formal Trainee Engineer Higher Apprenticeship. The intention of this scheme is that applicants can progress towards the role of a Design Engineer within Engineering Design.

The Apprenticeship programme takes around five years to complete, and you’ll spend your first 10 - 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 an Electrical Design Engineer, gaining a higher level qualification delivered by Aston University (if not already achieved). Your Training will include vocational and academic courses along with placements across our service areas. During these placements you will undertake managed office based training within one of our Engineering Design teams, where you can put your new skills into practice

As you will be studying for a higher level qualification at Aston University, you will be required to undertake placements in Birmingham for up to two weeks at a time during the first two years. Accommodation and travel costs will be provided.

You'll become integral to the company offering many benefits who offer a supportive working environment, providing you the skills to make robust decisions and successfully deliver essential works. We are committed to investing in the latest technologies and working methods to improve service to customers. Ready to power up your career? Join us and gain career-building skills, knowledge and qualifications in an established and innovative industry. 

Please only submit one application. If you appear to be a good match for more than one location, we will consider your suitability during the process. Multiple applications will not be considered.

Main Responsibilities

As a Design Engineer (office based) you will specialise in the design of substations energised at up to 132,000 volts, preparing detailed project-specific designs/drawings/specifications and schedules. These designs would relate to both the physical attributes of substations and also the control systems therein.

The training programme provides on-the-job training and formal courses held in one of our Training Centre’s at either Taunton or Tipton, over a period of approximately two years (depending on entry level qualifications). Successful candidates will also be expected to study for, and achieve a higher level qualification through Aston University. The majority of the on-the-job training will take place within local teams, but you may be required to undertake placements at other locations across the National Grid service area, so you need to be flexible and able to travel.

The Ideal Candidate

We 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. You’ll be resilient and willing to learn, genuinely passionate about your career and committed to studying. Curious problem solvers thrive here. 

In addition to the below qualifications you are required to hold a GCSE in English AND Maths (Grade A-B).

Our minimum entry criteria require the following qualifications (held or predicted):

• A Levels in Maths (Grade A*-C) AND a Science (Grade A*-C)
• OR HNC/HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• OR Degree in Maths, Physics, Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical Engineering.

If your qualifications are predicated, you must receive your confirmed results prior to the commencement of the scheme.

You will also be required to undertake a Mathematics Diagnostic Test at the start of the higher level qualification. The test exists to provide a profile of your mathematical strengths and weaknesses and is not used to produce a mark for assessment.

Whatever qualifications you hold, we will need to see evidence of them for you to be considered. If possible, please upload evidence of the required qualifications with your application. These can be scanned or photographed and attached as a PDF document.

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to undertake assessments to determine their suitability to commence the scheme and undertake the higher level qualification.

The apprenticeship has a starting salary of £24,374. In Year 2 your salary will increase to £32,455 and in year 3 it will increase to £39,409. Then in your development role which you are anticipated to reach in year 4, your salary will increase to £43,768. Your eventual salary will be £48,369.

Start date September 2024. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during the first 12 weeks of training. 

If you are offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.

Operationally we require you to live within approximately 30 minutes of the depot you are applying for. Please only submit one application. If you appear to be a good match for more than one location, we will consider your suitability during the process. Multiple applications will not be considered.

As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. 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.

About The Company

If this is your opportunity to face new challenges and expand your skillset, you will be a part of a supportive, rewarding and friendly working environment where you’ll be empowered to continue building your career. You’ll also enjoy our package of benefits designed to reward your hard work and incentivise your ambition.

In addition to your competitive salary, we offer a contributory pension scheme where the company will double match your pension contributions up to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access, subject to eligibility criteria, to join our annual Share Save plan. 

You will receive a generous annual leave entitlement. Protective clothing and Safety Equipment will be provided where required and we offer free parking at all main sites. In addition, you will be able to access support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services.

To apply please visit our website careers.nationalgrid.co.uk and submit your application by no later than midnight on the closing date, via the careers hub. Should you have any questions regarding this or require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk 

Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.