Trainee Engineer (ETP) Review

Trainee Engineer My role daily can be different depending on where I am planned to be. Some days I can be on site spending time working on the network and others I can be on training courses or spending time on my foundation degree at Aston University

I've learnt lots of new skills such as electrical and mechanical hand skills, use of National Grid systems, safety rules and various topics at Aston University. I've been on a number of different practical courses at the National Grid academy such as IPAF, confined spaces as well as other more specific courses like Transformers and HV Switchgear.

Depending on what I am doing/where I am the job differs. I prefer being on site as this is where I learn the most that will benefit me in the long run in my end role. The courses we do at Aston University don't seem very relevant, especially when compared to what we are taught by trainers at our own academy.

When on site I feel valued as I am given a number of different tasks and projects to complete and am given good feedback and encouragement when I am there.

I think that some parts are more well organized than others. When I am on site, it is down to me to plan my own schedule and when I am on training, this is all planned in for me.

When on internal training courses, the support and knowledge of the trainers is really good and they are always helpful. When at university, this is not the same case.

From my site team I receive a good amount of support which meets what I need. The National Grid trainers are also very supportive.

Straight out of college and still living at home, the salary more than covers my costs and the benefit of a company car with paid work mileage covers all transport costs that I would otherwise face.

There is little outside of work.

Yes

If coming straight out of education, this is a really good course and puts you in a far better position in your career than going to university would in this field.

Know your stuff about electricity networks before the interview, be prepared to give up a large amount of your own time fore revision for university exams and protection training.