2026 Substation Engineer Higher Apprentice North West Lancashire (Preston), Asset Operations

National Grid; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

An energy company in the UK is offering a Substation Engineer Higher Apprentice role. You'll earn over £30,000 annually while training, gaining valuable engineering skills over three years. Your responsibilities will include ensuring safety, managing teams on high-voltage projects, and delivering maintenance work. Ideal candidates will hold A-Levels in Maths or Physics and have excellent communication skills. Location is across North West Lancashire with a commitment to personal development.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays

Double-matched pension contribution scheme

Discounted National Grid shares

Qualifications

• Valid UK driving licence required.
• Ability to live away from home during training.
• Proactive and driven attitude essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver all works with safety at the core.
• Manage teams on high-voltage substation projects.
• Join standby rota for emergency call-outs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Two A-Levels including Maths or Physics

BTEC including Maths or Engineering module

Job description

2026 Substation Engineer Higher Apprentice – North West Lancashire (Preston), Asset Operations

Join to apply for the 2026 Substation Engineer Higher Apprentice North West Lancashire (Preston), Asset Operations role at National Grid.

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 working for a company that makes electricity happen for every single person in England and Wales? A company that invests billions in Net Zero and creating a brighter energy future?

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

Our Three‑year Higher Apprenticeship Substations programme will train you to become an engineer in one of our substations, where we transform high‑voltage electricity into low‑voltage electricity to make it usable for homes and businesses.

You’ll be learning about testing equipment, safety, protection and control of the system, substation refurbishment maintenance, technical support, problem diagnosis and fault fixing.

At the end of the three years, you’ll have a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Power Network Electrical Power Protection & Plant Commissioning. Most importantly, you’ll have a permanent 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, and connecting new customers. A job that helps connect energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar farms, to the transmission network.

Responsibilities

• Deliver all works with safety being at the heart of all actions and decisions. Demonstrating safety behaviours by not walking past, following process and rules and speaking up where things don’t look right.
• Work towards Senior Authorised Person (SAP), leading teams of fitters and contractors on high‑voltage substation projects ensuring they are set to work in the correct manner, including the provision of risk assessments and method statements, and that toolbox talks take place.
• Manage, monitor and review progress on safety critical works. Undertake site delivery activities of projects as the appointed temporary works co‑ordinator and principle contractor as defined in CDM regulations, and help keep the UK’s electricity network running smoothly. Join a standby rota for emergency call‑outs – earning additional payments for your expertise and availability.

Location

This role is based across the North West Lancashire region. Movement within the region is required. Due to the nature of this role, you’ll need to live within a 45 minute drive of the postcode PR1 0NS.

About You – Qualifications and Requirements

• You’ll have two A‑Levels, including Maths or Physics graded C or above, or a BTEC that includes a Maths or Engineering module.
• A valid UK driving licence that allows you to drive three 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. You’ll also spend time in Loughborough, studying for your Higher National Certificate in Electrical power protection and plant commissioning. 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 %.
• You are driven, proactive, and always seeking ways to improve. Building on your existing knowledge and skills is second nature to you, and you have the enthusiasm to take things to the next level. Communication comes naturally to you, and you know how to adapt your approach to connect with different people. As a flexible multitasker, you can handle multiple responsibilities while paying great attention to detail. Academic brilliance isn't the only thing we're looking for; we value practical individuals with engineering mindsets who are eager to apply themselves.

What You’ll Get – Salary & Benefits

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

• 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays.
• Our double‑matched pension contribution scheme.
• Option to buy discounted National Grid shares.
• 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 & Spencer.

Development & Support

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 doesn’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 Principles and Values

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

• 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.