Trainee Engineer

Salary: Circa £24,580 per annum + a range of other benefits to support your family, finances, and wellbeing. Salary upon finishing the programme is circa £37,000+ per annum.

Working Pattern: Full Time | 3 Year Training Programme

Start Date: August/September 2026

Build Your Future in Electrical Engineering 

Are you ready to grow your engineering career while helping to shape the future of the UK’s energy system? Our three‑year Distribution Trainee Engineer Programme combines academic study with real‑world experience, giving you the skills, confidence and qualifications to thrive in a fast‑growing sector.

You’ll gain an industry‑recognised HNC in Electrical Engineering, build hands‑on technical expertise, and play a key role in supporting a safe, reliable and Net‑Zero‑ready electricity network. If you’re motivated, curious and eager to make a meaningful impact, this could be the perfect next step.

What to Expect

• Study Towards a Recognised Qualification - work towards your Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electrical Engineering, developing strong technical knowledge alongside the leadership skills needed for a future engineering role.
• Hands-On Learning - gain practical field experience as you train to become a Low Voltage and High Voltage Switcher, playing an essential part in maintaining a safe and resilient electricity supply for our customers.
• Keeping the Network Running - join our teams in Network Operations, Maintenance and Design, where you’ll learn how our distribution network functions day to day—and how it is evolving to support the UK’s transition to Net Zero.
• Professional Growth & Support - be part of our Engineering Professional Development Forum, giving you access to ongoing learning, peer support and opportunities to celebrate engineering excellence across SSE.

What We’re Looking For

This programme is ideal for people who enjoy problem‑solving, learning by doing, and working in environments where no two days are the same. You should be:

• Organised and dependable, able to balance study with practical learning
• Adaptable and flexible, comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
• Open to travel, including living away from home during college or placement blocks
• Working towards your driving licence—not essential at the start, but you’ll need a full UK licence by the end of the programme

Entry Requirements

To start the programme in September 2026, you’ll need:

• Minimum of 2 A‑Levels/Highers at grade C or above, including Maths and Physics, or equivalent qualifications
• We also welcome applicants with equivalent engineering qualifications
• This programme is designed to provide training at a specific qualification level. To ensure it remains appropriate and beneficial for participants, we’re unable to accept applicants who already hold an HNC or higher in Electrical Engineering. This programme isn’t the right match -but you may be eligible for our Higher Apprenticeship in Electrical Power Networks Engineering or other SSE opportunities.