Overhead linesman Review
at National Grid
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Kingsbridge, Devon
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As an overhead lines person I help maintain and build the electrical network in and around the south hams area of South Devon.
This includes erecting wood poles and conductors onto poles, building plant on poles such as transformers and electrical switch gear and dealing with fault conditions such as storm bringing power lines down and making service connections to customers properties to provide them with electricity.
It also includes maintenance of work vehicles and the yard which I work from.
This includes erecting wood poles and conductors onto poles, building plant on poles such as transformers and electrical switch gear and dealing with fault conditions such as storm bringing power lines down and making service connections to customers properties to provide them with electricity.
It also includes maintenance of work vehicles and the yard which I work from.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoyed all the training courses I was put on in order to learn the skills required to conduct the work.
I did not enjoy so much writing diaries to evidence the tasks that I had completed but this is because I am an older apprentice who has been out of the school system for many years, it writing diaries did reaffirm the knowledge I had gained from being out working on the job.
I did not enjoy so much writing diaries to evidence the tasks that I had completed but this is because I am an older apprentice who has been out of the school system for many years, it writing diaries did reaffirm the knowledge I had gained from being out working on the job.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learned all new schools in order to carry out the job role such as climbing wood poles, using mobile elevated work platforms, construction techniques for mounting and building plant equipment, electrical testing and use of various tools and power tools.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Fairly well organised, all courses are booked in advance when you start the apprenticeship so you know when and where you will be away from home.
The courses are all in a structured ordered so that when you have completed a course it builds on your knowledge and skills when you go back to your yard so you can complete more tasks and build up your skills in the field.
There were some issues with lack of trainers in the organisation but this is being addressed so more courses can be run.
The courses are all in a structured ordered so that when you have completed a course it builds on your knowledge and skills when you go back to your yard so you can complete more tasks and build up your skills in the field.
There were some issues with lack of trainers in the organisation but this is being addressed so more courses can be run.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Plenty of help and support from the trainers who run the courses, the staff you work with on a day to day basis, the assessor who makes sure you are keeping up with your diaries, logs and projects and the team leader and managers who you have to have regular meetings with to keep you on track and offer any support you might need.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The city and guilds aspect of the apprenticeship is quite good and is a course specifically tailored to the electrical power industry.
The course lead was easy to get hold of if I had any questions and the teachers were knowledgable on the subject.
The majority of the courses are completed over Microsoft teams which can sometimes not be the best learning environment but when learning with the teachers in person they were very helpful.
The course lead was easy to get hold of if I had any questions and the teachers were knowledgable on the subject.
The majority of the courses are completed over Microsoft teams which can sometimes not be the best learning environment but when learning with the teachers in person they were very helpful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I think it gives a background knowledge and deeper understanding of electrical networks and and how they operate but to the everyday job role of constructing the electrical networks and and, on the tools so to speak, it does not impact a huge deal but it is still useful knowledge
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
We have regular team building days out such as paintballing, go karting and activity centres.
There are also volunteer opportunities to help the community.
There are also volunteer opportunities to help the community.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend National Grid to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Great job to do, being in the outdoors and a physical job.
The pay is very good once qualified and lots of room for further development within the organisation.
Lots of help and support and good colleagues to work with.
The pay is very good once qualified and lots of room for further development within the organisation.
Lots of help and support and good colleagues to work with.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to National Grid?
Learn about the electrical network around the country just so you have some background knowledge and understanding of what it is and why it’s important.
