OHL Trainee

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

Further information

The closing date for this vacancy is Midnight 29 October 26, with assesments and interviews due to take place w/c 16 November 26 onwards. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

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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