UK Power Networks Experienced Apprenticeship Programme

 About UK Power Networks

UK Power Networks owns, operates and maintains three electricity distribution networks. Delivering power to 19 million people across London, the South East and East of England, keeping the lights on for 28% of the UK population.

Alongside the three Ofgem regulated electricity networks, UK Power Networks have an un-regulated arm of the business. UK Power Networks Services which builds, manage and maintains high-voltage private electrical networks for owners of major infrastructure. Clients include London's five main airports, High Speed 1, Network Rail and London Underground.

Our priorities are to tackle the climate crisis by connecting renewable energy, meet our customers evolving needs by improving our services, support our customers in vulnerable circumstances and go above and beyond for the communities we serve.

The Experienced Apprenticeship Programme

UK Power Networks has over 143,925km of underground cables, over 189,503km and our assets support the distribution of 28%of the UK's electricity. It takes hundreds of highly trained craftspeople and engineers to build, maintain and operate all of this electrical infrastructure and equipment.

The IET accredited Apprentice programme is a two-year training programme that will equip individuals with the skills and competencies to safety work on the electricity network in one of three crafts:

• Cable Jointers - working on the underground electrical cables carrying out jointing duties, such as the maintenance and restoration of power supplies and laying cables for new supplies on the UK Power Networks distribution system.

• Overhead Linespersons - Similar to the role of a Cable Jointer however an Overhead Linesperson works on the overhead power network including up wood poles and metal towers. Restoring power supplies, maintaining existing assets and expanding the network. A head for heights is essential for this role!

• Fitters - Maintenance fitter build, maintain and fault find on sub-station plant. This will include working at height at times such as on scaffolding.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Apprentices are expected to learn all aspects of their allocated craft and apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours through the Apprenticeship Programme competently, safely and in accordance with the Apprenticeship standards.

• Apprentices will follow Level 3 Apprenticeship Power Network Craftsperson (ST0156), please click here for more details of the apprenticeship standard. Which includes a City & Guilds Level 2 in Electrical Power Engineering - Distribution and Transmission (Technical Knowledge) (2304-17). Please click here for more details of the City & Guilds qualification.

Apprentices are expected to undertake duties in accordance with their craft and follow safe, approved practices at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required:

• This is an apprenticeship where you will be taught all the necessary skills and competencies to perform each craft safely and competently. During the apprenticeship individuals will always work supervised and as part of a team.

• Successful individuals will have either gained a qualification in a technical subject such as electrical or mechanical engineering qualification or can demonstrate work experience in a craft, technical or hands on role, such as electricians, mechanical fitters, welders, vehicle technicians or telecommunications technicians etc.

• Applications from individuals who have acquired technical knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience through an apprenticeship, or another formal training programme related to one of the roles detailed above are also welcomed.

• Candidates should have a minimum of GCSE grade 3 (D) or equivalent in English language and maths.

• Applicants must be in possession of a full UK driving licence.

• Applicants must possess a high degree of manual dexterity demonstrated through the use of hand tools and will be expected to undertake a range of practical assessment, aligned to their designated craft, should their application be successful. Some roles require applicants to work safely at height.

• Applicants must always prioritise safe working practices and demonstrate a strong understanding of what it means to deliver great customer service.

Please note that these roles have both physical conditions of the workplace and physical demands of the job. These conditions include physical strain i.e. heavy lifting, working at height, or working in confined spaces. An apprentice, and qualified craftsperson can expect outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and some pressured situations.

Employees need to be aware that for some craft and operational roles that work at height, or use fall arrest devices, there is an upper weight limit of 116Kg due to maximum safe working load of the safety equipment that is used.

Nature and Scope:

The Apprentice programme is 2 years in duration (indicative timescale) working towards achievement of a Level 3 Apprenticeship Power Network Craftsperson (ST0156) whilst gaining knowledge, skills and behaviours developing understanding and experience in their designated craft.

Apprentices will be provided overnight accommodation and travel while studying at UK Power Networks four Training Centres or with our Training Providers where appropriate. Some courses are of extended duration this may require applicants to stay in accommodation for the course's duration depending on location.

The assessment of competence and application of knowledge, skills and behaviours will be conducted throughout the duration of the Apprenticeship Programme and all apprentices must meet their milestones.

Completion of the apprenticeship will be confirmed through an End Point Assessment which will assess Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours in line with the End Point Assessment Organisation (EUIAS - Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service). Apprentices will also be expected to have gained certificates of competency specific to their craft before being deemed a fully qualified craft person.

Training may take place at training centres across the United Kingdom.

Application Process: