Distribution Craft Trainee

Build a Long‑Term Skilled Career Supporting the Energy Transition – Substation Fitter / Overhead Linesperson / Cable Jointer

Base Location: Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke, Hayes (West London), Melksham, New Forest, Oxford, Petersfield, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Swindon, Theale

Salary: circa £17,666. Salary upon finishing the programme is circa £36,686 + a range of other benefits to support your family, finances, and wellbeing.

Working Pattern: Permanent | 2-year Trainee Programme

Start Date: September 2026

Are you looking for a hands-on career that pays you to train in a skilled trade, while helping keep the lights on for homes, businesses and communities?

Our two year Craft Trainee Programme combines structured training with real work experience on the electricity network. You’ll work outdoors, attend college to gain a qualification, learn from expert craft teams and progress towards becoming an authorised Substation Fitter, Cable Jointer or Overhead Linesperson — building a long term career in a vital and growing industry.

Choose Your Path

As you progress, you’ll specialise in one of our key craft roles:

• Substation Fitter – work on electrical infrastructure across our network, maintaining, installing and upgrading equipment that keeps power on for customers.
• Cable Jointer – specialise in underground cables, repairing faults, connecting new customers and improving the resilience of the network.
• Overhead Linesperson – work at height on the overhead electricity network, building and maintaining power lines and restoring supplies during faults.

What the Programme Offers

• A structured two year programme combining paid, on-the-job training with hands on experience. You will attend college and work towards achieving a Technical certificate in Electrical Power Engineering.
• Practical outdoor work, supporting our teams to maintain, repair and upgrade the electricity network in local communities.
• Training at our dedicated training centres, followed by on the job learning and support from experienced craft colleagues giving you the knowledge and skills to work safely and confidently.
• All tools, PPE and equipment provided, including required business travel and accommodation.
• A permanent skilled craft role on completion, with a starting salary of around £36,686 plus overtime and clear opportunities to progress your career.

What We’re Looking For

• Someone who enjoys hands-on, practical work and is comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions.
• A quick learner with a positive attitude, ready to build new technical skills with support from our experienced teams.
• Commitment and resilience to complete a two year programme, including periods of training away from home.
• A strong focus on safety and following procedures in a safety critical environment.
• Comfortable working at height for the Overhead Linesperson and Substation Fitter pathway and willing to get involved in physical, outdoor tasks.
• Working towards a driving licence, with a full UK licence expected by the end of the programme. In England, for this programme you must be 18+ when you start in the programme in September.

What to Expect & What You’ll Gain

Over the two-year programme, you'll complete a structured, paid training programme that combines hands on field experience with learning at our internal training schools. You’ll gain industry recognised qualifications, develop specialist technical skills and build the confidence to work safely and effectively across our network.

Some training will be delivered in block release, meaning you may need to stay away from home for several weeks at a time. We’ll fully support your travel and accommodation, ensuring you can focus on developing your skills and progressing through the programme.

By the end of your trainee programme, you’ll be ready for a rewarding, skilled role as a qualified Substation Fitter, Cable Jointer or Overhead Linesperson, with a clear pathway for future career progression.

What we provide:

• Fully funded training for you to become a qualified Craft person.
• All tools and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required for the role.
• A skills-based pay matrix so your salary increases as you develop your skills (once qualified).
• Career stability within a sustainable industry with on-going progression opportunities.
• On joining you will also have access to range of other benefits to support your family, finances, and wellbeing.