Electrical Power Network Engineers Apprenticeship - Planning

Meet Amal: Physics Teacher to network Planner

When I was teaching physics, I loved helping my students understand the world around them, but I realised I wanted to be part of shaping it too.

After being recently shortlisted as a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year, Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025 we sat down with Amal to find out more about her journey so far.

When did you join National Grid?

I joined National Grid in September 2023 on the Electrical Power Network Engineers Apprenticeship – Planning pathway. Even though I already have a degree (Nuclear Science and Materials) I choose this route rather than a direct entry or graduate program as it allowed me to learn more in depth knowledge about the electricity industry alongside the Planner role.

Can you tell us more about your role and what you do?

I’m an Optimisation Planner at National Grid, working with teams across the business to safely plan and deliver the Big Work powering our future.

It’s my role to look at and plan year ahead outages for the North London patch. Outages are required to safely complete work (big schemes, Asset Health Interventions, maintenance etc.) on our high voltage transmission system.

I mainly hybrid work between our Warwick office and home, but I go down to London three days a month to meet with my Operations Managers to discuss the plan build.

So what does a typical day look like for you?

In planning there isn’t really a typical day, every day there’s a new challenge to overcome and new people to speak to and.

A planning day for me consists of reviewing the outage plan, hearing back from key stakeholders, like the National Energy System Operator (NESO), about outage issues and working with other departments to find achievable solutions. Working with the North London team within the (NGET) Asset Operations function has been an amazing experience as the stakes are very high and ultimately, I have to make sure the right work is being planned in at the right time.

Can you tell us what inspired you to join National Grid?

Before joining the apprenticeship programme, I used to be a secondary school Physics Teacher teaching about energy resources, electricity demand changes and the effects it’s having on our planet. I realised that I didn’t want to just teach about these issues but to be part of it - to find a better way.

I applied for the Planner pathway because of the skills I developed both from my previous experience as a teacher but also from my Nuclear Science and Materials degree of critically thinking, working with others, organisational and time management skills.

I really enjoy working within the Planning team and I have learnt so much about how National Grid delivers their big work.

How has National Grid supported you in your career since joining?

Since I’ve joined National Grid have supported in expanding my horizons outside of just the planning world. I’ve been given opportunities that have allowed me to network with other teams as I love learning something new. National Grid have also encouraged me to use my love for Physics and teaching, to go out and volunteer at educational events (I’ve been to primary and secondary schools as well as colleges and universities!) where I talk about the work National Grid does and how they can be part of shaping the future of energy too.

What's the culture really like?

Everyone I’ve worked with truly lives by the National Grid values. I’ve really enjoyed the encouragement of going out and doing more than my day job and giving back to the community. I didn’t think I would be able to work a corporate job and still have time to do social mobility work, but I’ve lucked out!

I’ve been involved with lots of volunteering events from educational such as attending career fairs, to serving the local community by mending fences and painting them. Throughout all these opportunities I’ve also managed to network with so many people who believe in the same things I do. The culture of giving, listening and improving makes me very happy that I made the correct career move back in 2023.

I’ve felt that I can approach anyone within the business and have a chat with them to find about what they’re working on and how the business can keep progressing. Within my first few months I was involved with creating some resource materials to be delivered in schools by anyone in the business. Being so new to the company I had lots of questions, and I thought who else better to ask than Alice our Electricity Transmission President! Alice set aside time from her busy schedule to meet with me and answered all my burning questions. That’s when I felt the open and encouraging culture of National Grid.

So you were recently shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2025 (MCAA) - what has this meant to you?

Being nominated and shortlisted as a finalist for Apprentice of the Year at the Multicultural Apprenticeship awards was such amazing news! It feels incredible to be recognised by National Grid and now I get to showcase to others the work that I’ve done.

Being shortlisted helps me to continue to work alongside teams like Grid for Good, Responsible Business and STEM Ambassadors to promote apprenticeships to both young people and their families who might hold outdated views about apprenticeships.

When I was in school, apprenticeships weren’t talked about and I felt that University was my only option. Going through this journey now I think so many people out there need to know that this option exists and could be perfect balance of learning and earning!

I’ve really enjoyed learning more technical Physics knowledge alongside how to do my day job, all whilst being paid to learn! I want to keep using my voice to reach a wider audience to promote apprenticeships, not just young people, but for STEM leavers/returners, for anyone who is looking to join the energy industry but currently lack the knowledge and skills.

I’ve seen firsthand the struggles and workforce shortages we are facing not just in National Grid but the wider energy industry, and I would love to be part of a movement to encourage more people to have the confidence in making that leap.

What’s been your most memorial moment so far?

I was nominated by my team to attend a coffee morning with our CEO John Pettigrew! It was an amazing morning to hear from John about his career journey in National Grid, the challenges he’s come across and how he worked through them. I found it really inspiring to hear about his journey and now the seed is planted that I can do it too!

Any final reflections?

As I countdown to the award ceremony, I’ve been reflecting on my apprenticeship journey and everything I’ve learned so far. I’ve learnt more about electrical engineering (which pleases the physics nerd that I am) and I’ve met some incredible leaders who encourage me to keep learning and grow every day. Whether I win the award or not, I’m planning to keep vocalising my ideas on finding a better way forward, whether its related to planning, educational outreach or DEI, and ultimately to keep enjoying this new career I’ve landed into.