Trainee Design Engineer Higher Apprentice - Castle Donington
National Grid Electricity Distribution
Derby (DE74 2TU)
Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026
Posted on 11 December 2025
Contents
Summary
As a Trainee Design Engineer Higher Apprentice (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.
- Wage
-
£26,899 a year
- Training course
- Electrical power networks engineer (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5:30pm.
38 hours 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
- Assist in designing substations operating at voltages up to 132,000 volts
- Develop layouts and configurations for physical substation components (e.g., transformers, switchgear, busbars)
- Create detailed project-specific designs, drawings, and specifications
- Prepare schedules and bills of materials for equipment and installation
- Ensure compliance with operational standards and safety regulations
- Work closely with senior engineers and project teams to ensure designs meet client and regulatory requirements
Where you'll work
Herald Way
East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington
Derby
DE74 2TU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION (SOUTH WEST) PLC
Training course
Electrical power networks engineer (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Training schedule
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.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4 and above)
- Maths (grade 4 and above)
A Level in:
BTEC in:
Desirable qualifications
Other 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Adventurous
- Safety awareness
- Resilient
Other requirements
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.
Operationally we require you to live within approximately 60 minutes of the depot you are applying for Castle Donington (DE74 2TU).
Please note that we are unable to accommodate any annual leave during these first 12 weeks of training.
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.
https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays
- Competitive pension scheme (Double matched up to 12%) and Sharesave options
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Protective clothing and safety equipment supplied
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
- You’ll become a qualified Network Planning & Design Engineer
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION (SOUTH WEST) PLC
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004858.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026
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