Substation Higher Apprentice - NW Cheshire
NATIONAL GRID PLC
Chester (CH1 6HE)
Closes on Sunday 25 January 2026
Posted on 11 November 2025
Contents
Summary
At National Grid, we see engineering as more than just a job - it's a legacy, a way to shape a brighter energy future and keep the lights on. Would you like to be part of it? How about working for a company that powers every single person in England and Wales? A company that invests billions in Net Zero and creating a sustainable energy future?
- Wage
-
£31,310 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
You’ll get 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays We have a double-matched pension contribution scheme There is the option to buy discounted National Grid shares We will pay for one professional membership subscription
- Training course
- Electrical power protection and plant commissioning engineer (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday, 9.00am- 5.00pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Our three-year Higher Apprenticeship Substations programme will train you to become an engineer in our substations. Here, we transform high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity, making it usable for homes and businesses.
During your training, you'll learn about
- Testing equipment
- Safety protocols
- System protection and control
- Substation refurbishment, maintenance, technical support, problem diagnosis, and fault fixing
This job will have a significant impact on the transmission of electricity in England and Wales for the next 40 or 50 years. You'll be involved in maintenance work, asset replacement and refurbishment, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues, and connecting new customers.
You'll also play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar farms into the transmission network.
As you progress, you may even commission new equipment and take on responsibilities for the safety of your co-workers. If this sounds like the kind of opportunity you'd like to be part of, we're very interested in talking to you!
Where you'll work
Wayside
Capenhurst Lane, Capenhurst
Chester
CH1 6HE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NATIONAL GRID PLC
Training course
Electrical power protection and plant commissioning engineer (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply sound engineering and analytical processes to both normal and abnormal conditions on high voltage power generation, transmission & distribution plant & equipment
- Apply safe working practices in line with company processes and legislative requirements
- Use of a wide range of test equipment to confirm the suitability of the high voltage plant for conformity and operational service
- Accurately read and interpret a wide range of engineering diagrams and drawings
- Prepare and check technical reports
- Effectively communicate with others to confirm that the tests meet the required standards/specifications
- O1: Undertake testing, commissioning and maintenance activities on electrical power systems and equipment. This could include transformers, switchgear, conductors, battery systems and ancillary equipment
- O2: Undertake protection, testing, commissioning and maintenance activities involving functionality testing and the injection of currents and voltages into high voltage equipment and their associated protection and control systems to simulate the range of fault conditions and scenarios that can occur on the electrical system
- O2: Use appropriate test equipment to verify protection and control settings and ensure correct installation and operation of modern microprocessor and numerical based protection as well as older electromechanical relays
- O2:Ensure that protection systems interface correctly with the associated high voltage equipment and, where necessary, coordinates effectively with the wider high voltage system
Training schedule
Electrical Power Protection and Plant Commissioning Engineer Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard:
- Initially you will be at our National Training Centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire for your Induction period which is around six weeks, then periodically for technical training
- In the first year, you will spend 70% of your time at the Eakring Training Centre with the remaining 30% on site (gathering site-based experience)
- Year two will be 50/50 at Eakring and on site and in the
third year 70% on site and 30% at Eakring training centre
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
T Level in:
BTEC in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Reliable
- Adaptable
- Responsible
- Safety
Other requirements
You must be able to live away from home; primarily at our Eakring academy in Nottinghamshire. Food and accommodation are provided as standard.
About this employer
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. Our people in Network Services work across a number of teams to keep the lights on for our customers. They might be helping a customer who has lost supply or supporting a developer building a multi-million pound project. They maintain a 24/7 service from faults and maintenance, asset replacement to new connections, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts, their work is critical to everything we do.
After this apprenticeship
- By the end of the programme, you'll hold a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Power Network Electrical Power Protection & Plant Commissioning Engineer, and most importantly, have a job waiting for you
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NATIONAL GRID PLC
box.ukapprentices@nationalgrid.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000350697.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 25 January 2026
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.