Transmission Network Control Centre Engineer Higher Apprentice Review

Currently I am training to enter my role through specific transmission network control centre (TNCC) training and electrical power network engineering training (EPNE). I am also attending university, working on coursework, exams and projects that are set by work. I will be in the control room at National Grid Electricity Transmission. I will be performing safety and operational switching on transmission assets, managing alarms, working with other control engineers on switching procedures, contacting substation staff and NESO staff, managing faults and incidents.

I have greatly improved my electrical and electronic engineering skills through the provided training. I have learnt a lot of people and personal skills through the business interactions. I have developed my learning abilities through self teaching pushed by National Grid and Aston University.

I find the current work I do very interesting and enjoy doing it. The people are warm and welcoming and I feel comfortable around everyone. The National Grid training is high quality but the Aston University training is only okay.

Communication is fast and receptive between most of the company except sometimes the apprenticeship team, other parts of the business are very good. The company handles big projects and changes very well. There are many policies that keep the company structured and exact without any vagueness.

Line managers, business coordinators and coworkers are very willing to help all the time, I can confidently email someone knowing they will reply with aid. The apprenticeship team is sometimes reserved or vague with help I believe they do that to push you to contact others first which I'm okay with.

Not much support has been given at this point. At the start of the apprenticeship, it was briefly described how the qualification must be achieved. Details have not been explained clearly yet, explained as the end of the apprenticeship is still far away.

The university knowledge helps vastly improve knowledge on background information of my role, however some of the subjects won't apply at all specifically to my role. Specific training provided by National Grid aim much better at the specifics of the role and serve to be very useful.

There are plenty of small events that happen which you can attend as well as larger events that can be volunteered to help with. Social nights for teams and other social groups are frequently arranged with open invites to food and drinks. Networking events are fewer in numbers but effective.

Yes

The career options once progressed through the apprenticeship are limitless and the pay/benefits are good. Considering the stereotype for large corporate companies to be daunting, it is surprisingly welcoming and accommodating to a variety of people. I would warn on the apprenticeship scheme for it's difficulty and requirements, however the initial requirements to join the scheme are low.

They are more focused on personality/people skills than what current skills you have. Don't be worried about intelligence as they will work to bring everyone up to the same level. You will be juggling multiple work tasks at the same time, it is imperative to stay organised and manage your work wisely.