Outage Planning Engineer Higher Apprenticeship 2026, Network Operations - Warwick

Outage Planning Engineer Higher Apprenticeship 2026, Network Operations - Warwick

About the role

As an Outage Planning Engineer Higher Apprentice at National Grid, you'll join the Electricity Transmission Network Operations and Intelligence team to help plan and manage power outages so essential maintenance can happen with minimal disruption to our customers.At National Grid we utilise advanced technologies and maintain clear communication channels to enhance system reliability and customer satisfaction during outages. As an Outage Planning Engineer Higher Apprentice, you would play a crucial role in enabling us to do this.Within this role you will gain experience in creating detailed plans for scheduled power outages, mapping out which lines are affected, what work needs doing, and when it will happen. Working closely with customers, regulators, and neighbouring utilities you will ensure everything runs smoothly, it’s all about smart planning, clear communication, and keeping the electricity flowing.

Key responsibilities of the role Include:

• Work in collaboration with substation crews to plan essential maintenance outages that keep the network safe and reliable.
• Work with key stakeholders to make sure the system is ready and accessible for planned works.
• Assess risks and complete assessments to help make smart decisions to avoid unexpected issues.
• Respond to critical faults fast, adjusting plans to keep everything running smoothly.
• Explain the ‘why’ behind the work, showing the value and impact of each outage.

Location for this role

This role is based in the office headquarters in Warwick and offers flexible, hybrid working.You will also spend time at Loughborough College to study for your HTQ in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering and our National Grid Training Academy in Eakring, Nottinghamshire to complete a variety of in-house, specialist training programmes.

About you

• You will have a minimum of five GCSEs with grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, Maths and a Science.
• Have or be predicted to achieve two A-Levels at grade C or above including Maths or Physics OR BTEC National Certificate OR Diploma Level 3 in a STEM discipline at Grade Merit or Distinction.
• You will need to have a valid UK driving licence within the first 12 months of starting the programme.
• You don’t need prior work experience; the determination and will to succeed is far more important as we will teach you everything you need to know. The role will provide you with a variety of skills including transferrable skills to support your career development within National Grid.

What you’ll getWe are proud to offer a starting salary of £31,310 for this apprenticeship which will increase annually.As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Higher Apprenticeship programmes are like no other! You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, understand what a career with us can offer, and receive some great rewards and benefits:

• Upon successful completion of your 2 year apprenticeship, you will achieve a nationally recognised accredited qualification; a Level 4 HTQ in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering.
• 26 days annual leave + statutory holidays.
• Pension scheme and sharesave options.
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work, buy/sell holiday to name a few.
• Opportunity to enrol in our sharesave/share incentive plans.
• You’ll develop well-rounded skills through practical experience.
• A permanent position upon successful completion of your Apprenticeship

Our Values and Principles

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any adjustments that you require.

Further Information

• You can only apply for one Apprenticeship opportunity during this recruitment cycle.
• We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process.
• Assessment centres will be held between January - April 2026.
• National Grid's Apprenticeship programme in the UK is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.
• Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin
• Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this.

At National Grid, it’s our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger, so we pride ourselves on placing diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do and are committed to building a workforce of the future which represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office where and when needed. All our offers are based on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, the innovation from creating diverse teams and perspectives, as well as business need.

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the unique differences people bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation that comes with having diverse teams and business need.

We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and provide a working environment where everyone feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.