Higher apprentice Review

Varies between on site work, training at the fantastic Eakring training center and a foundation degree at Aston university in Birmingham. Living away a lot means every day is different, I enjoy working on site because the day to day jobs and maintenance tasks are rewarding and representative of what my job will be when i have finished my apprenticeship

I have definitely learnt plenty of new skills since joining. So far at the Eakring training facility I have attended 6 weeks worth of hands on courses. I have stripped down a ford internal combustion engine and learnt about how it works, which developed my hand skills. I have also been on an electric fitting skills course, which has helped develop my understand of LV wiring and electrical principals

I find my program has some highs and lows. I love how challenging some parts of the course are, and I have enjoyed meeting like minded colleagues. I have found the hands on approach to learning suits me much more than being in a class room, and i find it much more enjoyable. I have not however enjoyed using public transport to get to my training center

The program is very well organised, with the whole years plan being available from my phone and laptop. Everything on there is colour coded, so its easy to see where I will be and when. All the courses are in a logical order so they flow with one another, and the individual courses build upon previously learnt knowledge

There are plenty of ways to get help, support and advice when working for national grid, I feel I could talk to my line manager or team leader about any problems I was facing and get the support I need. There is also and employee assistance program which is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year

The support mainly comes from colleagues, however I can always talk to my mentor. At Aston university, I could get help and support from any of the lecturers by emailing them, calling them on the phone or arranging a one to one meeting. There's also group support sessions in the uni library

The foundation degree will give me a good understanding of how not just electricity works, but about the UK's electricity distribution network's past present and future. OI have put this theory into practice on site and it has helped gain an understanding and appreciation for how our assets work

The Eakring training facility has some good evening entertainment facilities. There's a fully stocked bar with Guinness, a games room with pool, snooker and darts. There's also a fishing lake stocked with carp as well as a five aside football pitch and mountain bikes to hire. There's a gym on site which is available to be used at any point during the day and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Yes

Fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn. National Grid PLC really look after you and provide you with many benefits that some other companies may not, for example you can get vouchers off high end push bikes, with the aim of keeping you healthy, active and also helping the environment. It is also a company which has a firm place in Britain's future.

I would advise new starters to do a fair bit of research on the company before starting. National grid occupies a niche which no other business does, so its vital that when you arrive you understand what national grid does and how your job fits in with national grids goals