Craftperson Apprentice Review

Our day to day role can vary massively depending on what time of year it is, which site your on and who your working with. During the winter months there is more demand on the electrical system so less circuits can be released for maintenance, so we usually maintain air systems used for insulation, arc extinction and operation or battery systems which are in place to maintain site supplies in the event of loss of supply. In summer is when most work goes on and we can work on an array of equipment from tranformers and circuit breakers, to isolators and earth switches.

While being an apprentice at National Grid I have developed and improved many skills, both useful at work and in the real world. Not only have I learnt new practical skills such as filing, cutting and turning in our hand skills course, but also how to wire lighting circuits, switches and distribution boards all involved in LV wiring; then pipe bending, rigging and slinging, off-road driving course and working on HV equipment out on site! But I have also developed personal skills such as meeting new people, leading groups of people and using new technology and equipment which can be used in day to day life outside the work place.

I thoroughly enjoy the apprenticeship program as I find it so rewarding; I live the idea of coming to work and 'keeping the lights on' for the rest of the country by ensuring maintenance is completed on time to a high standard as well as reacting to faults if and when they occur. I also enjoy travelling around the country meeting different people as I get to see the way others work and their views and aspects on life which can be really beneficial to me improving my own work style and ethic.

I feel valued not by National Grid, but by the manager and the lads I work with; here we aren't just a number and expected to do as we are told, we look after each other, help each other out, interact and play to each others strengths which makes me feel part of that team and valued as a member. We are always being thanked for the work and effort we put it in to ensure work is completed on time and to the highest standard, and can be financially rewarded which really does make you realise that you are a valued and important member of the team.

The programme is fairly well organized but as with any plan it goes wrong for various reasons often not foreseeable ones; however the planning department do a fantastic job of reacting to issues and keeping us in the loop with any changes and try and work our courses around any holidays/time off we endeavor to take which is really appreciated. As courses do go ahead they are relevant, informative and really useful and there is always extra time or support given by trainers if requested in addition to having a mentor back on site.

There is always support available at any time which I know I have taken advantage of in the past; if ever there is something you wish to know or just need a little bit of guidance and help they strive to give you it, whether its a 5 minute chat on the phone, sending you some information/links via email or organizing a 1 on 1 session to discuss and talk through issues your having, the support is really outstanding

Again the support from the company is fantastic also, upon starting with the company we are assigned a mentor that you work alongside to learn skills off, raise any issues you may have, support you when doing write ups and most importantly be there to answer your questions and if they don't know the answer, they go away for you and find the answer. This goes for the whole team not only the mentor which goes unnoticed as they don't get any extra for looking after the apprentice.

The salary is above and beyond what it could be, but that is an encouragement to keep working hard. We earn a great amount of money 3 or 4 times the national apprentice wage which really reflects how much the company values us as an apprentice. As well as getting a van for transport that is fuelled, taxed, MOT'd, insured and maintained so travel doesn't cost us a penny, when staying away our food and hotel costs are covered and there is also a website full of flexible benefits which allow us to retrieve all sorts of discounts codes etc.

There is some oppurtunities to do outside of the work such as company open days down at Warwick, there was a charity bike ride a few months back that travelled from the top of Scotland to southern England pit stopping at various substations on the way down trying to raise money for charity which I believe is a great success. We also have a sprts and social club which we put a small contribution into monthly that then goes toward an event for our team such as go-karting, bowling or perhaps a meal just to get the lads together outside of work to have a laugh which is always a good laugh.

Yes

National Grid is a great company to work for, it is extremely rewarding given you work hard, they work with you and encourage you to do the best you can, there are a number of great benefits that I have already talked about and you get a chance to give something back to the community, meet new people, develop yourself as a person as well as your skill set and most of all you go home with a smile on your face.

When applying to National Grid you must be sure it is what you want to do because it isn't easy, we work hard because we love what we do and get a real sense of achievement out of it so if your heart isn't in it then it isn't for you. But confidence when speaking is key, they want to see you be able to sell yourself, be proud and have that self pride as sometimes you need to be able to take criticism, in addition to presenting the company and working with people from different areas and backgrounds but occasionally alone.