2026 Overhead Lines Engineer Higher Apprentice (Bristol), Asset Operations

About the Role

Ensuring the future of electricity transmission

We don't think of engineering as a job, we think of it as a legacy. A way of passing on a brighter energy future and keeping the lights on.

Would you like to be part of it?

How about being paid over £30,000 a year while you train with free food, accommodation, and travel too?

Our three-year Higher Apprenticeship Overhead Line programme will train you to become an engineer in one of our Overhead Line teams.

You'll be learning everything about Overhead Lines, the types of conductors, fittings and insulator systems that are installed. You'll also gain knowledge regarding safety from the system, general safety, overhead line refurbishment & maintenance methods, technical support, 3rd Party requests and fault fixing.

At the end of the three years', you'll have a HTQ in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (HNC). Most importantly, you'll have a job waiting for you!

A job where the decisions you make will impact the transmission of electricity in England and Wales for the next 40 or 50 years. A job where you'll be delivering maintenance work, replacing and refurbishing assets, fixing mechanical and electrical issues. A job that helps connect energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar farms, to the transmission network.

Eventually, you will train to become an Overhead Line Project Leader and taking responsibility for the safety of your co-workers. If that sounds like something that you'd like to be part of, we'd be very interested in talking to you!

The life of a Higher Apprentice is varied and fast paced; no two days are the same. On a day to day basis you could expect to be involved with;

• Developing projects and safe systems of work for setting staff to work in accordance with safe practices, procedures and risk assessments
• Supporting the day to day management of the operational overhead line team's resources and assets
• Responding to overhead line faults and defects as they occur
• Developing your specialist technical skills to deliver a wide variety of OHL projects safely, on time and to budget
• Develop your skills and experience towards enacting the roles of Project Leader, Temporary Works Coordinator and Principle Contractors Representative
• Shadowing experienced OHL engineers across the full range of operational work to gain new skills and knowledge whilst in the field.
• Receiving Health and Safety training leading to role specific authorisations.
• Working away from home and work in a variety of zones/geographical area to develop your skills

Location

You must live within 45 minutes of BS37 9TX to be considered for this role.

About You

You are driven and proactive with an appetite for continuous improvement. You know how to build on your existing knowledge and skills and have the enthusiasm to run with things and to try to make them better. You're articulate and know how to communicate appropriately with a variety of people.

You are a flexible multitasker who can do multiple jobs at the same time and still pay great attention to detail. It's doesn't matter if you're not academically dazzling; we want practical people with engineering mindsets who are really keen to apply themselves.

Here's what you'll need:

• Two A-Levels, including Maths or Physics graded C or above, or a BTEC which includes a Maths or engineering module.
• Five GCSEs including Maths and English Language graded 4(C) or equivalent (Functional skills L2 are acceptable).
• A valid driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK 3 months before your start date.
• You'll need to be able to live away from home during your training; primarily at our Eakring Training Centre in Nottinghamshire. Typically, you'll stay on-site from Monday to Thursday and return home for the weekend (Friday to Sunday). The amount of time spent at Eakring will decrease as you progress through the programme:
  Year 1 - around 75%
  Year 2 - around 50%
  Year 3 - around 25%

This is a physically active role that may include occasional working at height, manual handling, and some outdoor work in varied conditions. Applicants should be confident in their ability to meet these demands safely and effectively, with reasonable adjustments considered in line with our commitment to equal opportunities.

Safety is our top priority when working at heights, click here to watch a short video of an Overhead Linesman climbing a pilon to completing safety checks from his point of view.

What You'll Get

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £31,310.

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Higher Apprenticeship Programmes are like no other! You'll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, understand what a career with us can offer, and receive some great rewards and benefits:

• You'll be working towards a Level 4 qualification in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (HNC)
• 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays
• You could earn a £250 bonus, depending on performance
• Our double-matched pension contribution scheme means your pension could be worth up to 18% of your salary
• There is the option to buy discounted National Grid shares
• Financial support for study relevant to your role is available
• We'll pay for one professional membership subscription

Our My Discounts' scheme offers discounts on everything from the weekly shop to your annual summer holidays. You'll find savings on cinema tickets and at a range of high street retailers, including Sainsburys, John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Marks and Spencer.

National Grid is committed to the personal development of our staff. Joining us, you'll be supported as you develop a wide range of business, and technical skills through structured training and on the-job experience. You'll work closely with your line manager to establish and navigate through a Personal Development Plan that is tailored to your needs.

About National Grid

National Grid is at the heart of the energy future, and our people are at the heart of National Grid. We're 30,000 colleagues strong. In the UK, National Grid don't generate or sell energy - we join the dots to get energy from A to B. From making a cup of tea in the morning, to keeping the lights on in hospitals, our electricity network puts power in the hands of people. Without it, the world as we know it would grind to a halt.

The world of energy is changing beyond recognition as we focus on building a cleaner, greener future. Working at National Grid, you won't just be touching the lives of almost everyone in the UK - you'll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Our values and principles

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 adjustments that you require.

Further Information

You can only apply for one Apprenticeship opportunity during this recruitment cycle.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. 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 between January - April 2026.

National Grid's Apprenticeship programme in the UK is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin

Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this.

For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas