An Advanced Apprenticeship is a great way to get ahead. You earn, you learn and you start to build skills for life. To find out more about the training you'll receive on the National Grid Apprenticeship Programme, click on the links below:
This is Induction
Once you join the Advanced Apprenticeship Programme you'll soon realise that everyday will be different.
From day one you will take part in a four-week Induction Programme.
This includes modules at our Eakring Training centre and your base location, where you'll meet the other Apprentices in your intake, the trainers, your manager and the rest of your team.
The Induction Programme includes safety training, personal development, an Outward Bound module in Cumbria to develop your personal team skills, and working capabilities.
During this time you'll really get to know the other Apprentices on the programme and you'll become part of a unique team.
Off-the-job Training
Throughout the first year of the training programme you will spend around six months of your time at our Training Centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire. The Eakring training centre, has its own complimentary accommodation. A lodge, with 60 bedrooms, pool tables, gym and a bar, this is where the apprentices and other trainees spend spare time whilst at Eakring, and a great place to relax with colleagues or other trainees. Eakring also has its own restaurant where you‘ll get all your meals provided by the on-site chef and his team. To have a look where Eakring is check out the map.
Modules in the training programme start at 9.00am (11.00am on Mondays), so you'll need to be up bright and early and ready to learn. The training is delivered in workshops and training rooms, just like a college. atmosphere. The trainers are experts in their field and teach in a way that gets the subjects across to you in a practical engaging manner - they'll support you for the duration of your apprenticeship. During the training you make notes on the theory behind the equipment you will be using in the workshop and on site.
A key part of the apprenticeship is studying for and achieving a national technical certificate qualification e.g. City & Guilds, relevant to your apprenticeship which is required to enable you to progress on the scheme. The technical certificate is delivered by West Cheshire college whose lecturers come to the training centre. On some programmes you will need to go to college for two 16-week or 32-week blocks and stay in a local hotel. In addition you will also complete training modules in safety and hand skills, some of the modules may involve trips to other facilities or companies, last year for example the apprentices on one programme went to a manufacturing plant to understand how pieces of equipment operate. A major part of the programme is the completion of an NVQ level 3 relevant to your job destination role at the end of the apprenticeship.
The training centres are not just about classroom learning - you'll also have practical sessions where you can put into practice what you have learnt.
You'll generally finish training at 4.30pm (12 noon on Fridays).However, occasionally some personal evening study is expected. If you're staying at Eakring you will have your own furnished bedroom (inc TV and bathroom) and some apprentices bring their own game consoles and stereos to make it more homely. At other training centres you will stay in quality hotels with similar facilities.
When Friday arrives the site closes so all the apprentices head home over the weekend but you will need to return by 11.00am on Monday (alternatively, you can return on Sunday evenings (after 2.00pm) if you have a long way to travel).
On-the-job Training
The majority of your second year will be spent out on site putting all that theory into practice with your new team.
Your daily routine will vary but generally you'll arrive on site at 8.30am. The location will vary depending on which patch you work in and what work needs to be done. You'll typically be working with a small team.
The atmosphere in the teams is great, the apprentices are always made to feel included, and the engineers are approachable and willing to share their experiences with you. You're likely to find the work on site challenging both physically and mentally, but support is always available and the working day passes quickly. During lunch time you'll need to bring your own lunch and some sites have basic kitchen facilities if you need them.
Your work on a normal day will finish between 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
Once you successfully complete the apprenticeship you will transfer to a permanent Craftsperson role within the local area.