Overview
This 2026 Experienced Apprentice Programme will report to the Engineering Trainees Team Leader and will work based in our Crawley/Lewes, Maidstone/Strood, Kingston or Croydon office. You will be a permanent employee. UK Power Networks operates and maintains three electricity distribution networks, delivering power to 19 million people across London, the South East and East of England. UK Power Networks Services builds, manages and maintains high-voltage private electrical networks for owners of major infrastructure. Clients include London's five main airports, High Speed 1, Network Rail and London Underground. UK Power Networks is a registered Employer-Provider with the ESFA, and our apprenticeships are part funded by the Apprenticeship Levy. Our Experienced Apprenticeship is a two-year training programme which is accredited by the IET and endorsed by EU Skills, offering a unique opportunity to equip individuals with the skills to become a trained and qualified craft person to work safely in the electrical distribution industry.
You will be offered one of three craft roles:
Craft roles
* Cable Jointer - plays a crucial role in maintaining and upgrading the electricity distribution network. They install, connect, and repair underground cables, ensuring a reliable power supply to homes and businesses. This hands-on role involves working with low and high voltage cables and equipment, following strict safety standards and procedures and troubleshooting any issues to minimise disruptions, making it an important role for keeping UK Power Networks electricity network running smoothly.
* Overhead Linesperson - install, maintain, and repair overhead power lines that deliver electricity to homes and businesses. You will work at heights to construct and maintain overhead lines and poles, ensuring the safe and reliable distribution of electricity. Overhead Linespeople inspect and troubleshoot issues, conduct repairs in all weather conditions, and respond to power outages to restore electricity quickly. With a focus on safety and teamwork, you will help maintain and upgrade the electricity network.
* Electrical Fitter - installs, maintains, and repairs electrical equipment and systems within substations. You will work with high-voltage apparatus such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switchgear, ensuring the safe and reliable distribution of electricity. Electrical Fitters troubleshoot faults and perform routine inspections and maintenance to ensure that all equipment is operating safely and is a necessary role in keeping the electrical network running.
Training, travel and accommodation
Apprentices will be provided overnight accommodation while studying at UK Power Networks training centres or with our Training Providers. Some courses are of extended duration and may require staying in accommodation for the course's duration depending on location. You will use your personal vehicle/public transport to travel between different training locations. If an apprentice has a personal vehicle with added business insurance, this will allow travel expenses/mileage to be claimed to and from each training location. Training may take place at practical training centres and educational facilities across the UK. During your time in this role you may travel out of region, which may involve overnight stays of days at a time, or weeks at a time (returning home during weekends). If an apprentice stays away from home for a period of training, accommodation and meal allowance will be provided.
Qualifications and requirements
* This is an apprenticeship where you will be taught all the necessary skills to perform each craft safely and competently. During the apprenticeship individuals will always work supervised and as part of a team.
* You must have a minimum of GCSE grade 3 (D) or equivalent in English and maths, or Functional Skills Level 1 or 2. If invited to the assessment day you will need to provide hard copies of these qualifications as part of the assessment process.
* You will have either gained a Level 2 or higher qualification within Further Education (e.g., college or university), or have gained more than 3 years of full-time work experience in a craft-based or hands-on role where manual dexterity is important (e.g., electrician, carpenter, builder, mechanical fitter, welder, vehicle mechanic, or telecommunications/gas/water technician).
* A high degree of manual dexterity demonstrated through the use of hand tools is required, and you will undertake a range of practical assessments. Some roles such as overhead linesperson require applicants to work safely at height.
* You must like working outdoors in all weather conditions and prioritise safe working practices while delivering good customer service.
* You must hold a full UK driving licence as travel to different locations across the UK Power Networks footprint is required during the apprenticeship.
* The Apprenticeship programme is 2 years in duration, working toward a Level 3 Power Industry Craft Person Apprenticeship while gaining skills and behaviours relevant to the craft.
You will attract a salary of £37,226.00 and a bonus of 3%, along with the following benefits:
* 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
* Reservist Leave - Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
* Personal Pension Plan - Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will contribute 8% or 10%)
* Tenancy Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
* Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
* Occupational Health support
* Switched On - scheme providing discounts at hundreds of retailers
* Discounted gym membership
* Employee Assistance Programme
Apprentices will follow the Level 3 Power Industry Craftsperson Apprenticeship Standards. Depending on the role offered one of the following apprenticeship standards will be followed: Power industry substation fitter, power industry overhead linesperson, power industry distribution cable jointer. The apprenticeship includes a City and Guilds Level 2 in Electrical Power Engineering - Distribution and Transmission (Technical Knowledge) (2304-17) to be undertaken at an external provider college in Basingstoke. Apprentices are expected to undertake responsibilities following their craft, safety procedures and UK Power Networks safe working policies. Training activities are delivered at regional training centres and training provider sites, which may require time away from home. Accommodation and meal allowance will be provided if required. Training will consist of internal/external training courses, on-site placements and academic training placements through college across the 2-year period.
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