2026 Project Manager Higher Apprentice,Strategic Infrastructure, Bury St Edmonds

National Grid; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A major utility company is seeking a Project Manager Higher Apprentice in Bury St Edmunds. This role involves supporting the delivery of strategic infrastructure projects and requires a strong determination to succeed. Candidates should have a minimum of five GCSEs and flexible availability for travel. The apprenticeship offers a starting salary of £31,310 and benefits including annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Flexible benefits including cycle to work

Qualifications

• Minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, Maths, and a Science.
• Have or be predicted to achieve two A-Levels at grade C or above including one STEM subject.
• A driving licence is required for this role.

Responsibilities

• Supporting Project Managers to deliver projects successfully.
• Assist with communication and site coordination between contractors and internal teams.
• Contribute to weekly reports and help manage essential project documentation.

Skills

Determination

Flexibility to travel

Education

Minimum of five GCSEs including English, Maths, and a Science

Two A-Levels at grade C or above including one STEM subject

BTEC National Certificate or Diploma Level 3 in STEM

Job description

Overview

2026 Project Manager Higher Apprentice, Strategic Infrastructure, Bury St Edmunds – National Grid.

About The Role

The Project Manager Higher Apprentice role is based within our Strategic Infrastructure Team (SI), a new team created to deliver 17 major projects in the UK, along with other strategic projects to support net zero ambitions and the Government target of 50GW of renewable energy by 2030. Our aim is to help the UK switch to clean energy and ensure our electricity network is fit for the future, carrying more clean, secure energy from generation to where it’s needed. As a Project Manager Higher Apprentice, you would play a crucial role in enabling us to do this.

Role responsibilities

• Supporting Project Managers and their operational teams to help deliver projects successfully from start to finish.
• Assist with communication and site coordination between contractors, third parties and internal teams, helping to build a strong safety culture in line with National Grid standards.
• Contribute to weekly reports, attend project meetings, and help manage essential project documentation.
• Support the team in ensuring all safety and quality standards are followed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Gain experience in tracking project milestones, contributing to planning and programme management activities, and supporting the oversight of contractor performance to ensure key project deliverables are met.

Location and travel

This role is based in the Bury St Edmunds office and offers flexible, hybrid working. It will include regular travel to London for the first 6 months. You will be required to live within a 45–60-minute commutable distance of IP33 1ET and travel to site locations; annually you’re expected to travel more than 10,000 miles for business.

About You

• You will have a minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, Maths, and a Science (or equivalent).
• Have or be predicted to achieve two A-Levels at grade C or above including one STEM subject OR BTEC National Certificate OR Diploma Level 3 in a STEM discipline at Grade Merit or Distinction.
• A driving licence is required for this role; if you do not already have one you must have obtained one by 31 May 2026.
• You will be flexible to travel when required within this role, including frequent overnight stays away from home in pre-booked accommodation.

You do not need prior work experience; determination and will to succeed are valued as we will teach you everything you need to know. The role will provide you with a variety of skills including transferable skills to support your career development within National Grid.

What You'll Get

Starting salary of £31,310 for this apprenticeship, increasing annually.

Benefits

• On successful completion of the two-year apprenticeship you will achieve a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification in Associate Project Management.
• 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays.
• Pension scheme and Sharesave options.
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work and holiday buy/sell options.
• Opportunity to enrol in our Sharesave incentive plans.
• Develop well-rounded skills through practical experience.
• A permanent position upon successful completion of your Apprenticeship.

About Us

National Grid is at the heart of the energy future. We are a 30,000-strong team. In the UK, National Grid does not generate or sell energy – we connect energy from A to B to keep the lights on. We focus on building a cleaner, greener future and strive to deliver energy securely and sustainably.

Our values and principles

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities and are happy to discuss any adjustments required.

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 vacancies once we have enough applications. Assessment centres will be held between January and April 2026. National Grid's Apprenticeship programme is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship for UK work visas is typically not offered, except in exceptional circumstances where specialist skills cannot be sourced locally. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin. Visit gov.uk for visa information. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and offering flexible, tailored support, at home and in the office, where needed.