National Grid

The company that owns and runs the high-voltage electricity network in England and Wales, with graduate, higher apprenticeship and engineering routes based around Warwick and London.

About National Grid

National Grid owns and maintains the electricity transmission network in England and Wales: the pylons, cables and substations that carry power from where it is made to where it is needed. Its UK jobs cover engineering, system planning, strategy and regulation, procurement, cyber security and more.

National Grid says it aims to lead the move to a greener future and to deliver a clean, fair and affordable energy system, and its stated goal is to "power the future of energy". These are the company's own words from graduate listings.

Listings name Warwick and central London (the Strand) as main bases for graduates, with other sites mentioned in the substation engineer advert, including Lancashire, Chester, Kent, Dartford, Bristol and Taunton. That advert is inconsistent about where the London role is based, so check the location before applying.

National Grid describes its people as its "true superpower", says diversity, equity and inclusion are "at the heart of who we are", and offers hybrid working where possible plus mentoring and coaching. These are self-descriptions, so ask current graduates how it feels in practice.

Graduate programmes in the listings run for 18 months (one advert also says two years) and include three 6-month placements. The 2026 start paid £36,640, plus a £2,000 joining bonus and a £2,400 payment on completion. Applicants need at least a 2:2, the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, and for engineering roles a degree in an electrical-based subject and a driving licence. Strategy and regulation roles accept any degree subject. There are also higher apprenticeships, such as a Project Development Engineer role in Warwick (closed January 2026) and a telecoms higher apprentice role in Pontypridd, but we could not read their pay or entry requirements. All dates are for the 2026 intake and have passed.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Owning and maintaining the high-voltage network in England and Wales.', 'title': 'Electricity transmission'}
• {'desc': 'Substation, power systems, development and cyber security engineering.', 'title': 'Engineering graduate roles'}
• {'desc': 'Earn-while-you-learn engineering routes such as project development.', 'title': 'Higher apprenticeships'}

Key facts

• Graduate programme: 18 months, three 6-month placements (2026 intake)
• 2026 graduate starting salary £36,640 plus £2,000 joining bonus and £2,400 completion payment
• Needs a 2:2 and UK right to work without sponsorship
• Bases include Warwick and central London

Website: www.nationalgrid.com