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OHL Trainee

Business Unit:  Electricity Transmission
Requisition Number:  11765

A new career at height — reskill into a specialist technical role

If you’re comfortable and/or experienced at height, enjoy working outdoors, and want to retrain into a highly skilled, future-proof profession, our Overhead Lines Training Scheme offers a clear and supported route into the electricity transmission industry.

 

Our brand new 12-month accelerated programme is designed specifically for career changers from related industries — people who already understand site safety, tools, and physical work, and are ready to apply those skills in a new, specialist environment helping keep electricity flowing across England and Wales. (Please review all information in advert)

Who this scheme is for?

This opportunity is ideal if you’re currently working in — or have experience in — areas such as:

 

  • Construction or civil engineering
  • Mechanical trades
  • Telecoms, utilities, rail or highways
  • Scaffolding, rope access, wind or tower work
  • Armed forces or other safety-critical environments
  • Hobbyist - Climbing

 

You don’t need previous overhead line experience — we’ll train you. What matters is that you bring practical ability, the right mindset, and you are comfortable or experienced at height.

About the scheme

The programme provides a clear, structured pathway into an Overhead Lines career, combining:

 

  • On-the-job learning with experienced OHL teams
  • Formal training at the National Grid Academy in Eakring (Nottinghamshire)
  • Completion of a Level 3 Diploma
  • Staged practical assessments and a competence portfolio
  • Learn how to use working at height equipment such as hoists, rigging, slinging and mechanical plant

 

You’ll be supported throughout by dedicated overhead line trainers and on-site mentors, helping you transfer your existing skills into a new technical discipline. On successful completion, you’ll progress into a permanent Overhead Linesperson role.

 

We have positions at any of the locations below:

 

  • West Boldon, South Tyneside
  • Staythorpe, Newark On Trent
  • Bushbury, Wolverhampton
  • Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire
  • Fleet, Hampshire
  • Iron Acton, Bristol
  • Swansea
  • Penwortham, Preston
  • Leeds
  • Pentir, North Wales
  • Bramford, Ipswich
  • Northfleet, Kent

What you’ll do as an Overhead Linesperson

At National Grid Overhead Linesperson’s play a critical role at the heart of the UK’s electricity transmission system, carrying out hands-on work high above the ground. Your role will include:

 

  • Working at height on electricity transmission towers up to 50 metres (164ft)
  • Inspecting, maintaining and repairing overhead line equipment
  • Supporting fault response and system recovery
  • Contributing to major infrastructure and upgrade projects
  • Working as part of a close-knit team in outdoor, safety-critical environments
  • Travelling up to 1.5 hours from your base, with opportunities to work nationally

 

This is a challenging, varied role where no two days are the same — offering real responsibility, teamwork and the chance to keep the UK powered.

Pay and Benefits

  • A salary of £34,856 pa plus expenses for the 12 months
  • Current salary on successful completion of the training scheme up to £42,448 pa
  • Company vehicle, business use only
  • Contribution Pension scheme up to max total 18%. 
  • 26 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays with option to buy/sell holidays. 
  • More information on benefits - Benefits | National Grid Careers

What we’re looking for

  • You can commit to 12 months training on a salary of £34,856 pa
  • NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Construction, Engineering, Telecoms or Mechanical discipline
  • Comfortable and/or experience at height
  • Practical skills
  • A full UK driving licence
  • A strong commitment to safety, quality and teamwork
  • Willingness to travel within around 1.5 hours of your base location, with opportunities to work nationally
  • You live within 30 minutes travel from chosen location

Assessment and next steps

This face-to-face approach allows us to assess practical skills safely and gives you a realistic insight into the role and environment.

 

  • Assessment date: Monday to Friday 16 – 27 November 2026.  
  • Time –  9.00am – 4.00pm.
  • Assessment format: Face-to-face.
  • Location: National Grid Training Academy, Kirklington Road, Eakring, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0DA.
  • Travel – You’ll make your own way there, expenses will be paid up to £100 (keep all receipts).
  • What to expect: Practical hand-skills, Colour Blindness and height-confidence assessments.
  • Time commitment: Please allow a full day.
  • Accommodation: We will pay for your accommodation if you are more than 2 hours travel from site.
  • Interviews: Selected candidates who pass the assessment will be interviewed online via Teams
  • Decision on assessment outcomes – December 26
  • Training scheme start date – 25 January 2027

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