2026 Overhead Lines Advanced Apprenticeship, National Grid Energy Distribution (Stoke/Hednesford)

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 apprentices to join us.

The apprenticeship programme takes approximately three years to complete, and you’ll spend your first 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 a Power Networks Craftsperson, achieving a City & Guilds Level 2 Qualification in Electrical Engineering. Your training will include periods of on‑the‑job training and development, learning from an experienced and qualified Overhead Linesperson. Following a formal assessment of your knowledge, skills and behaviours, you’ll become a qualified Overhead Linesperson yourself. Overhead Linespersons are overhead line engineers who work at height constructing, maintaining, testing, repairing and replacing overhead lines and equipment.

You will represent National Grid and carry out work handed down by other areas of the business. Join us, and we’ll see you participate in craft skills activities on the live LV network, on dead LV, HV and EHV circuits (live HV circuits if part of a Hot Glove team). You’ll help with network operations, connect generators and services and organise your own projects. You’ll also:

• Construct and alter overhead lines, install pole mounted plant, run and terminate cables to plant and overhead lines
• Carry out routine inspection, maintenance and repairs of overhead equipment
• Record asset routes, details and positions
• Record plant details
• Locate and identify cables, test insulation, phasing and continuity on LV cables
• Test earthing, voltage, phasing and phase rotation
• Write outage requests and switching programmes for simple outages

What You’ll Need:

• 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.
• As you’ll be working outdoors, we need you to be adventurous and driven to work in all weather.
• Safety awareness is a must (you’ll follow safety instructions, use protective equipment and wear protective clothing), as is meeting deadlines.
• You’ll be resilient and willing to learn, genuinely passionate about your career and committed to studying. Curious problem solvers thrive here.
• Due to the nature of this role, applicants for this position must be at least 18 years of age by the start date of the programme (1st September 2026).

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

• GCSE English at Grade A*‑C/9‑4 or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills English
• GCSE Mathematics at Grade A*‑C/9‑4 or Level 2 Functional/Key Skills Maths
• GCSE Science at Grade A*‑C/9‑4 or BTEC Science Level 2 equivalent
• Two other GCSEs A*‑C/9‑4 or Level 2 qualifications in any subject.

You can also apply with a recognised Level 3 qualification in Electrical Engineering plus GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English. Please note: Electrical Installation qualifications are not accepted as an equivalent to Electrical Engineering qualifications and as a result you will be required to meet the minimum entry requirements detailed above. Whatever qualifications you hold, we will need to see evidence of them for you to be considered. Evidence of your qualification certificates will be required prior to appointment. 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 September 2026. Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training. 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.

What You’ll Get:

• 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 of £18,514. You will then see your salary increase as you become more experienced, following the timeline below:

• Year 2 - £24,938
• Year 2½ (Development role) - £32,473
• Year 3 - £37,770
• Completion - £43,491

• 23 days annual leave (26 upon completion of training) + 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
• Employee Assistance Programme is there to take care of you and includes musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services if you need them
• Protective clothing and safety equipment supplied

Our Values and Principles:

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.