Trainee Control Engineer - Higher Apprentice - Castle Donington

The teams in Control are focused on ensuring the network is secure, contingencies are in place and lost supplies are restored as safely and quickly as possible, minimising customer minutes lost and customer interruptions.

Based within our two Operational Centres, our Control Centres are the heartbeat of our operations, monitoring the system in real time, minimising risk of danger and managing security and faults. Control Centre teams also liaise with National Grid Electricity Transmission and the Government to manage national network demand and monitor the potential for incidents or emergencies.

As a Trainee Control Engineer, you will be controlling the operation of the Company's high voltage distribution network up to 132kV. You will be responsible for ensuring that all high voltage operations are carried out within the Distribution Safety Rules and other appropriate Company policy.

The training programme will take approximately 2½ years to complete, commencing September 2025, and will comprise of practical training and placements, alongside academic study towards a higher-level qualification. Upon completion of the training period and authorisation to switch at 11kV, successful candidates will be appointed to Grade 7. Please note that this role will involve shift working, including some weekends and bank holidays, as our Control Centres operate 24/7/365.

Placements in the training programme will include specialist areas such as:

• Protection
• Operational Switching
• Transformer Maintenance
• Design Team
• Network Analysis
• DSO Control Systems
• Operational Support
• Control Room
• National Grid Telecoms

Reporting to the Development & Compliance Manager at your chosen location, you will be expected to collect and document evidence of your progression in the scheme by producing and submitting reports. On-job learning and progression will be supported by regular meetings with your manager, and you will be assigned a mentor to support you, with an expectation that you drive your progression towards successful completion.

Transportation will be either via public transport or the trainee's own vehicle, recompensed as per the expense guidance. Only in very exceptional circumstances as determined by the Head of Control Centres will a pool car be authorised.

In addition to the below qualifications, you are required to hold a GCSE in English Language AND Maths (Grade A*-C/9-4). Our minimum entry criteria require the following qualifications (held or predicted):

• 2 A-Levels at grade A*-C, one of which must be Maths, Engineering, Electronics, or Physics
• OR a Level 3 or above qualification in an Engineering based subject which contains Electrical or Electronic modules.

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

Start date is September 2025. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training. Annual leave whilst working within the scheme period will need to be agreed at suitable times to coincide with the training programme.

If you are offered a position, you may be required to undertake and successfully complete a BS7858 security screening check before commencing in the role, with a National Security Vetting SC check being completed within the first twelve months as a condition of appointment.

As the post you are applying for attracts a National Security Vetting clearance there are further eligibility requirements, information can be found on the gov.uk website. To meet national security vetting requirements, you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years for Security Clearance (SC) prior to the date of application. There are exceptions to this however and examples of these include:

• You have been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
• You were studying abroad
• You were living overseas with parents

Operationally we require you to live within approximately 45 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.

Joining the UK's leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition, which is why we offer a competitive starting salary which increases as you become more experienced. In addition to this, you will also receive the following benefits:

• 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays
• Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
• Earn whilst you learn and receive a fully funded qualification
• Develop well-rounded skills, learning from experienced and qualified professionals in the industry

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any adjustments that you require.

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. 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. Applicants for our Apprenticeship programmes should be aware that we are unable to provide sponsorship if you require a visa for our apprenticeship programmes. Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we are not able to provide advice on this.