Substation Craftsperson Apprentice Review

As a Substation Craftsperson apprentice we attend various courses and on site experience to progress to a fully qualified craftsperson. On site our role is to attend jobs and to gain experience and help out where possible. At the training center we attend courses to gain the knowledge and qualifications necessary to operate on site.

I have had little experience with workshop and machining but through the courses provided at the training center as well as on site experience I now feel quite confident on more hands on tasks such as tools and there usage. As well as the opportunity to operate machinery such as cranes and lathes which I found interesting and rewarding.

The programme is challenging but through that challenge you gain a better understanding of the job role as well as the satisfaction of achieving what has been set out for you. I enjoy the programme very much because of this and would recommend it to anyone that is willing to put the effort in.

I feel very valued by the company and have been treat with respect and trust even in the first year of the apprenticeship scheme. Your safety and wellbeing is the highest priority of National Grid with the training and support services provided I feel very safe and comfortable when working.

The programme is very well organised with timetables given for the year ahead. These can change but any change made is well communicated and enough in advance that it causes little to no disruption to your plans. Time and effort has been put in to ensure that the training courses provided will help gain the required qualifications/tickets and experience to progress into a career within the industry.

National Grid have an excellent support network be that through HR, external companies, feedback forms and training staff that are always willing to help and encourage you to perform your best. Feedback forms give us the opportunity to say how we felt about training courses and any comments are looked at and taken into consideration for either improving certain aspects of courses or for saying how we found the course to be enjoyable and usefull.

I have personally received brilliant support from my Line manager, Team Leaders and other personnel on site. They are always more than willing to help and they have helped me through difficult times and continue to do so. With a mentor on site that is assigned to you they guide you through the course and give a point of contact for any concerns and any help you may require.

The salary more than meets my costs as the company on top of paying a competitive salary also pay for; travel costs, accommodation , meals and provide a van as well. In comparison to my last job that paid minimum wage I am now able to save more and generally enjoy leisure time more with less worry about outgoing costs.

National Grid give the chance in taking part in charity work and working with local communities to; raise money, raise awareness of the industry, promotion for apprenticeships and engineering at schools etc. They also provide leisure facilities at the training center for use after working hours such as; a lounge, gym, golf course, fishing pond, all weather pitch and bicycles.

Yes

National Grid are an excellent company to work for and I see myself having a long enjoyable career with them. With safety and wellbeing being their highest priority I feel very valued and that I will be able to carry out my future role safely and with a sense of accomplishment.

Aim to become more safety conscience and reinforce topics such as maths, mechanical and electrical principles. Look into the power industry as a whole and understand National Grids place and role within it. Show that you are safety conscious and it help massively in your application and interview for National Grid.