Substation Craftsperson Apprentice Review

As an apprentice for national grid, you spend some time training away from home (75% in the first year, 50% in the second and 25% in the third) and then the rest of the year you are on site gaining some hand on experience. You have a few exams and assignments to complete alongside all the safety rules that you need to understand and learn.

The short time that I have spent on the apprenticeship I have developed and learned new skills, such as learning to use Elevated Working Platforms and getting my card for that. And also learnt how to apply the knowledge that I learnt at school and college in the working area, Like wiring and calculations.

The apprenticeship is enjoyable. There is a lot of work and pressures involved however you know that the end goal is better than most apprenticeships and in addition the pay. Being away also gives you the enjoyment of meeting new people from around the company and also people external to the company.

I feel somewhat valued. I tend to feel more valued on site as they are more likely to listen to your ideas and act on them, however at the training they are less likely to act upon the ideas that you have, this is probably because its a set program and that its hard to change the program up.

The program is actually well structured they have a lot of work to do and you never have nothing to do. However it could be improved by them extending the apprenticeship to release some of the pressure that is put on the apprenticeship.

some support. especially from the guys on site, and the trainers and organisers are quite helpful.

Yes

Because of the pay and the qualifications you get out of it. I would recommend it to anyone who isn't good at dealing with pressure, you have to be tough

Get a hobby it allows you to release from the pressure, however just enjoy the time and stuff they give you before you know it you would have finished.