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. 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.
You will progress towards the role of an engineer within Engineering Design and the apprenticeship programme takes around five years to complete. 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 Designer, achieving a higher-level qualification (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 or field-based training with a team where you can put your new skills into practice.
As you will be studying for a higher-level qualification, you will be required to undertake placements at your training provider for up to two weeks at a time during the first two years. Accommodation and travel costs will be provided.
In addition to the below qualifications, you are required to hold a GCSE in English AND Maths (Grade A*-B/9-6)
Our minimum entry criteria require the following qualifications (held or predicted):
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.
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.
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.
Start date September 2025. 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.
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 £25,642. You will then see your salary increase as you become more experienced, following the timeline below:
In addition to this, you will also receive the following benefits:
