Overhead Lines Advanced Apprentice - Projects - Milton Keynes,

About the Role

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. In the projects team, you’ll work on distribution systems up to 132kV.

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

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 GCSE's 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 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. 

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 £17,649. You will then see your salary increase as you become more experienced, following the timeline below: 

• Year 2 - £23,366
• Year 2½ (Development role) - £30,956
• Apprenticeship completion - £41,459

In addition to this, you will also receive the following benefits: 

• 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