Apprentice Substation Engineer Review

As a Substation Apprentice I spend the majority of my time chasing logbook jobs. This entails calling engineers around the country asking them if I may join their working party. I also have completed training courses at the training centre and finished a foundation degree at Aston University

I have completed both NEBOSH and Foundation degree qualifications during my time. I have also learnt how National Grid substations are maintained and commissioned.

I have found that my on the job experience has been invaluable and will be of great benefit to me in the future. The Apprenticeship side of the course is not enjoyable and often clashes with the interests of site.

The Apprenticeship is poorly organised and often feels as if management are making rules and procedures up on the spot under the guise that they are ensuring compliance. Communication channels are poor and often leave apprentices in the dark as to what is expected of us.

My on site employer is very supportive and is always looking to develop my skills as an engineer.

Fairly supported as I have been able to achieve distinctions in all courses completed so far.

There is no need to join the apprenticeship to become a substation engineer. If you have any experience working as any form of engineer or fitter/craftsperson it is worth entering as a direct hire AND NOT AN APPRENTICE.

Field staff are very under funded with respect to extra-curricular activities at work

No

The hiring process is a mess and the salary scales do not reward going above and beyond. The apprenticeship contains enumerable hoops that all apprentices must jump through for the company to secure government funding. This leads to unnecessary stress on top of all of the skills that need to be learnt to perform as a substation engineer.

Apply for direct hire roles only, DO NOT APPLY FOR THE APPRENTICESHIPS.