24 months
Electrical Power Network Engineering Foundation Degree
Warwick
Do you want to be part of a positive and supportive team responsible for designing the electricity transmission system of the future?
Power System Engineers are uniquely placed to understand how the evolving energy generation impacts our transmission system, with the capability to model our future network and recommend investments to fix anticipated issues. This is a technical role predominantly focused on using simulation software that applies the theoretical knowledge you’ll gain throughout the apprenticeship, to real world problems and designs. As part of this, you will ensure that all your designs are compliant with our licence and engineering obligations. This will play a key part in meeting the needs of customers, consumers, and stakeholders in the changing energy landscape.
As a PSE Higher Apprentice, you can expect to be involved in any number of the below activities:
• Using power system simulation software to:
o Analyse new generation, demand and interconnectors, using the results to design network upgrades
o Understand the impact these changes have on the performance of the overall system
o Ensure the transmission network is planned to acceptable and safe limits by comparing results with relevant industry standards (e.g., the Security and Quality of Supply Standards)
o Simulate events such as faults and outages to see how the transmission network behaves over a range of network conditions
• Working alongside experienced engineers across various departments to identify technical issues and decide on outcomes that affect not just the company, but the network as a whole
• Performing calculations on real network and customer data
• Providing technical insight to other roles
• Collaborating with other roles to understand the physical space constraints and customer priorities alongside your technical results to formulate a holistic design
• Getting involved in innovative projects, outside of business as usual
This role is office-based, with opportunities to visit our substations throughout the apprenticeship and post-graduation, to gain insight into our physical assets and the practicalities of operation, which will help inform your job role when designing and adapting the network.
Our Higher Apprentice Programmes are your first step into a career in the energy industry. You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, and understanding of what a career with us can offer, and receive some great rewards and benefits:
• Starting salary of £28,332 rising to £30,81 following year 1 and £31,950 in year 2 on successful completion of targeted steps.
• 25 days holiday
• Full-board and accommodation whilst at our academy
• Pensions and share-option scheme
• London-weighting allowance where applicable
• Invitation to join NewNet, our new starters network and one of our employee resource groups
• Flexible Benefits & Working
• Close mentorship and regular feedback
• Volunteering opportunities
As a Power System Engineer Higher Apprentice you will be working with various asset types and new technologies; so, you will need to have a passion for innovations and a desire to work with the most cutting-edge tech. At every stage of this exciting role you'll enjoy hands on support and the chance to develop your existing engineering skills and learn brand new ones too. As soon as you join you will work with colleagues at all levels across the business, as well as opportunities to speak with high profile customers and external stakeholders so you must be a confident communicator comfortable with engaging with people at all levels.
As one of our Higher Apprentices, we’ll help you develop your skills through a combination of on-the-job work and academic study, all the while providing you with the passion, skills and knowledge you need to power all our futures.
You don’t need prior work experience; the determination and will to succeed is far more important as we will teach you everything you need to know and provide training to incorporate you into the National Grid envionment, ensuring you have awareness of our values, security measures and other important aspects to become a valuable member to your team. The role will provide you with a variety of learning, training, and opportunities, to give you transferrable skills and experience to support your career development within National Grid.
You will also need to hold a valid full UK car driving licence or be willing to learn to drive and agree to secure a valid full UK car driving licence within 3 months prior joining the programme or as soon as possible after your 17th birthday.
To apply for this role, you’ll need to have, or be predicted to gain, a Grade C or above/4-9 GCSE in English Language.
In addition to the GCSE requirements, you will also need to have one of the following sets of qualifications.
• 2 A-Levels - 1 must be in either Maths or Physics (Grade C or above)
• BTEC National Certificate Level 3 in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or Engineering (Merit or Distinction with the Maths modules being Merit or Distinction)
• BTEC National Diploma Level 3 in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or Engineering (Merit or Distinction with the Maths modules being Merit or Distinction)
• ONC in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Merit or Distinction with the Maths modules being Merit or Distinction)
• HNC/HND in Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering (Pass, Merit or Distinction)
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 reasonable adjustments that you require.
We will be closing this role in March 2024; however, 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 from January – April 2024.
