
Jointer Advanced Apprentice, National Grid Electricity Distribution (Leicester/Kettering)
National GridKey Takeaways
- Undertake a 3-year Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to become a qualified Jointer, earning a City & Guilds Level 3 qualification.
- Starting salary of £19,366, rising to £43,491 upon completion.
- Gain practical experience in excavation, cable laying, fault location, and substation construction.
- Requires GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, and two other subjects (or equivalent Level 2/3 qualifications).
- Training involves periods at training centres (Tipton, Eakring, Loughborough College) and on-the-job learning.
About the Role
The apprenticeship programme takes approximately three years to complete. 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 Jointer. Following a formal assessment, you’ll become a qualified Jointer yourself.
Jointers are underground cable engineers who carry out excavation, cable laying, reinstatement and fault location on LV cables.
What You'll Do
- Participate in craft skills activities on the LV, HV and EHV (Low, High & Extremely high voltage) network.
- Help with network operations, connect generators and services and organise your own projects.
- Construct distribution substations, excavate, lay and joint cables, and terminate cables to plant.
- Carry out routine inspection, locate faults and carry out repairs on underground cables and equipment.
- Record asset details and positions.
- Locate and identify cables, test insulation, phasing and continuity.
- Test earthing, voltage, phasing and phase rotation.
- Carry out switching operations on the LV network.
- Connect Generators.
- Organise your own projects.
What You'll Need to Apply
- Excellent communication skills; confidence to interact with customers, colleagues and internal stakeholders.
- Adventurous and driven to work outdoors in all weather.
- Safety awareness (following safety instructions, using protective equipment and wearing protective clothing) and meeting deadlines.
- Resilience and willingness to learn, with a genuine passion for your career and commitment to studying.
Minimum Entry Criteria:
- GCSE English Language 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.
Alternatively, a recognised Level 3 qualification in Electrical Engineering plus GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English.
- Evidence of qualification certificates will be required prior to appointment.
- Successful completion of a basic DBS check.
Start Date
September 2027. No annual leave is permitted during the first 12 weeks of training.
Location
Operationally, you must live within a 30-minute journey of the depot you are applying for. Only one application can be submitted.
Initial 12-week training at Tipton, Eakring, and Loughborough College requires staying away from home. Accommodation, travel, and an allowance for food and drinks will be provided. Staying away from home will be less frequent for the remainder of the training period.
What You'll Get In Return
- Starting Salary: £19,366, with annual increases:
- Year 2: £24,938
- Year 2.5 (Development Role): £32,473
- Year 3: £37,770
- Completion: £43,491
- Qualification: City & Guilds Level 3 in Electrical Power Engineering upon successful completion.
- Annual Leave: 23 days (26 upon completion of training) + statutory holidays.
- Pension: Competitive scheme (Double matched up to 12%).
- Protective clothing and safety equipment supplied.
- Flexible benefits including cycle to work and holiday buy/sell schemes.
- Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans.
- Employee Assistance Programme including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services.
- A permanent position upon successful completion of your apprenticeship.
About the Apprenticeship Programme
This is a 36-month Level 3 Power Industry Jointer Advanced Apprenticeship combining technical study, National Grid training, and practical workplace experience.
- Study at Loughborough College.
- Specialist training at National Grid's Training Centre in Tipton, and some courses in Eakring.
- Practical workplace learning and role-related project work.
- A City & Guilds Level 2 & 3 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering.