We’ve also achieved Beacon Status on the recommendation of the LSC for our further education provision which includes this electrical Foundation Engineer scheme.

Our Beacon Status is in recognition of excellence and innovation which exists within the National Grid further education system.  The Beacon is an award given to celebrate learning providers that are outstandingly led and managed, and deliver outstanding teaching and learning.  Beacons, as exemplars and trusted partners, promote and share their excellence and expertise with other providers throughout the sector. They provide a major impetus for performance improvement and greater self-regulation in the sector.

So by joining the National Grid Foundation Engineer scheme you'll be training on one of the best schemes around!

Locations of vacancies for our Sept 2010 intake include:

• New Cross, London
• Elstree, Herts
• Bolney, Sussex
• Kingsnorth, Kent
• Canterbury, Kent
• Sundon, Beds
• Pelham, Herts
• Hams Hall, Birmingham
• Hutton, Cumbria
• Norton, Cleveland
• Deeside, Chester
• Ratcliffe, Notts

Once qualified as a Foundation Engineer, you’ll be able to work on our extensive network of substations.

Our 'Field' opportunities are within our Substations department.  The substations - which operate between 275kv – 400kv – are connected via an overhead line transmission system. Each Substation has a range of switchgear / equipment which you will become familiar with – Circuit Breakers, transformers, disconnectors, compressors, auxiliary supply systems etc. The entire transmission system is monitored and protected by a sophisticated system, which substation Foundation Engineers will specialise in. The substation maintenance teams are responsible for maintaining the above switchgear. On completion of the training scheme you may also be involved in safely setting the maintenance teams to work. You will also be involved in the commissioning of new equipment as it is installed within the substation locations within your area.

The focus is on planned maintenance and commissioning activities, but you may also be called to manage emergency equipment failures.