Electricity distribution worker
Transmission worker
Electricity distribution workers maintain and repair the power lines that connect homes and businesses to the national grid.
Salary Range: £16,000 to £35,000
How to become an electricity distribution worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed to apply for a trainee job. Relevant courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
- Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technology
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You could get into this career by completing a power network craftsperson advanced apprenticeship or a higher apprenticeship for electrical power network engineers.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More information
Work
If you’re already working in the power industry, you may be able to apply for a place on an engineering training programme run by your employer.
Direct application
You may be able to apply for jobs if you’ve got experience in electrical engineering maintenance work from another industry, or from the armed forces.
More information
Further information
You can get more advice about working in the power industry from the Talent Source Network and National Grid.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- knowledge of public safety and security
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
- be able to cope with working at height
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- keeping equipment in good working order
- switching operations
- installing and dismantling equipment like transmission cables
- assembling or removing components
- adjusting and configuring electrical systems
- finding and diagnosing faults
- inspecting and testing cables and other equipment
Working environment
You could work in remote rural areas.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, at height and physically demanding.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to team leader.
With further study you could become an electrical engineering technician or network control engineer.