Trainee Design Engineer Review
at National Grid
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Architecture, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Engineering
Bristol
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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 a design engineer I am given a brief and I produce a design that satisfies it - I am, in essence, a problem solver. I primarily design 33kV substations but I also design 132kV substations and complete some modelling work for the installation of towers.
My role involves going to sites, initiating surveys (gathering information), liaising with other departments (like consents and wayleaves), producing 2D layouts, producing electrical diagrams and working with protection teams to ensure the designed network is safe to operate even under fault conditions. As an apprentice I also undertake network observations where I join fitters, lines people and jointers whilst they complete work on the network; this teaches me about the network and about how my designs are built.
I find the role interesting as no 2 sites are the same, meaning I don't feel like I'm doing the same thing each day, and I work with an incredible team who are happy to guide me through challenging problems and teach me about their valuable experiences with design work.
My role involves going to sites, initiating surveys (gathering information), liaising with other departments (like consents and wayleaves), producing 2D layouts, producing electrical diagrams and working with protection teams to ensure the designed network is safe to operate even under fault conditions. As an apprentice I also undertake network observations where I join fitters, lines people and jointers whilst they complete work on the network; this teaches me about the network and about how my designs are built.
I find the role interesting as no 2 sites are the same, meaning I don't feel like I'm doing the same thing each day, and I work with an incredible team who are happy to guide me through challenging problems and teach me about their valuable experiences with design work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my job aspect of the apprenticeship but I do struggle with the academic section. To complete my apprenticeship, I am required to complete a Level 4 BTEC in electrical and electronic engineering; this is something I struggle with as I don't do well in the education system. My team has been incredible in this aspect, they tutor me through the subjects and help me manage the balance between work, apprenticeship and academics. To that end my overall feeling is very positive. Through the program I have met serval interesting people who have come from such a diverse range of backgrounds – I have made a lot of friends and it isn’t uncommon for us to arrange social events outside of work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
My program is well structured and designed in a way that I didn't require any skills prior to starting - I only had my willingness to lean and my ability to work as part of a team.
At the very beginning I went through a month-long induction, half with all the apprentices on my intake (jointers, fitters, overheads, planners, engineers) and the other half with just the operational engineers and design engineers. This meant that we covered all the generic SHE, PPE and initial safety training in the first part whilst covering the more role specific introductions in the second half. After the initial induction, I spent time with my new team, learning more about my role and gaining familiarity with the software needed for my role (additional training for the software was provided). I then returned to the training centre to gain authorisations, enabling me to visit operational sites, and to completed “appreciations”, where I learnt about the network and got hands on learning about what craft employees do. I was still grouped with my intakes new engineers and we learnt how to and did our own mains cable joints, moved several tonne plant without machinery, climbed poles to install a service cable and complete a pole top rescue (using a 75kg dummy). These are all examples of how the program has given us an understanding of the network, how work is done on aspects of the network and how to do the jobs we are aiming to go into. I knew nothing about the Grid prior to joining.
I am now proficient in design; I can create electrical layouts and I am familiar with was assets national grid has on the network.
At the very beginning I went through a month-long induction, half with all the apprentices on my intake (jointers, fitters, overheads, planners, engineers) and the other half with just the operational engineers and design engineers. This meant that we covered all the generic SHE, PPE and initial safety training in the first part whilst covering the more role specific introductions in the second half. After the initial induction, I spent time with my new team, learning more about my role and gaining familiarity with the software needed for my role (additional training for the software was provided). I then returned to the training centre to gain authorisations, enabling me to visit operational sites, and to completed “appreciations”, where I learnt about the network and got hands on learning about what craft employees do. I was still grouped with my intakes new engineers and we learnt how to and did our own mains cable joints, moved several tonne plant without machinery, climbed poles to install a service cable and complete a pole top rescue (using a 75kg dummy). These are all examples of how the program has given us an understanding of the network, how work is done on aspects of the network and how to do the jobs we are aiming to go into. I knew nothing about the Grid prior to joining.
I am now proficient in design; I can create electrical layouts and I am familiar with was assets national grid has on the network.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The apprenticeship team assigns each apprentice a mentor and an assessor, with the mentor focusing on work related issues and the assessor being there for any apprenticeship / academic related queries. They help to guide me through the training and task I need to complete. The apprenticeship itself it progressively structured so that upon completion of each stage, another level of competency has been achieved. As NGED has their own training centres and staff, most of my training has been conducted by people who have worked on the network for more than 10 yrs. This level of experience beings another dimension to the training courses I complete and I often leave the training centre with a better understanding of the network as a whole, even if my course was only intended to be focused on one aspect.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My mentor coaches me through my job-related work and helps to proof my apprenticeship task reports. My assessor provided feedback on my performance, target achievement and overall progress. My manager regularly checks in with me and helps to make sure that I am receiving a comprehensive introduction to each aspect of my role. As I have learning difficulties, I have a SEND advisor that I meet once a month, she aids me in overcoming any issues I am facing; this involves requesting additional assistive software and resources in addition to helping me tackle any issues with the college (accessing resources or struggling to keep up with the lessons).
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The training team provide me with additional information about the courses I attend, answer a seemingly unlimited number of questions and they offer an “open door” policy where I can email them at any point of my apprenticeship for advice on any subject related to what they taught me or have a background in. This means that even if I am unsure about how to approach some of the apprenticeship tasks, I always have multiple people I can ask even if my mentor is unavailable (this is rare as I sit next to him in the office).
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The apprenticeship provides a well-rounded introduction to the industry. Completing the apprenticeship leaves apprentices with a stable foundation for their future career to be built upon. As it is so well rounded, upon completion, I could move straight into another team without too much difficulty – personally I love the role I am signposted to, so I do not plan to do this.
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
My team has a team outing every few months – we had a board games night, ninja warrior outing, Thorpe Park trip, Christmas dinner, rugby watching party and many others. There is also an interdepartmental paddle league and a group who is training for the half marathon together. There are also volunteering events and personal development days available to all employees including apprentices. The company invests in an extensive occupational health department giving all employees access to mental and physical support, this is another way the company invests in its employee’s wellbeing.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend National Grid to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Market leading salaries (initial wage increase exponentially upon completion of the apprenticeship), great pension options / contribution, extensive support, opportunities for growth personally and academically, its a growing industry and all in all its an interesting job to have.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to National Grid?
Be yourself...
Seriously, the assessments are all geared towards how you think, interact with others and approach problems under time pressure. There is little to no emphasis on academic requirements as they can teach that, they cant change your personality.
Seriously, the assessments are all geared towards how you think, interact with others and approach problems under time pressure. There is little to no emphasis on academic requirements as they can teach that, they cant change your personality.
