National Grid has opened applications for its 2027 early careers programmes in the UK, with apprenticeships, graduate schemes, industrial placements and summer internships on offer across England, Wales and Scotland. The company confirmed on 9 November 2026 that its early careers opportunities are now open, and live vacancies are already listed on its official jobs portal.

The programmes cover advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships, graduate schemes and placements, with roles starting in September 2027. National Grid recruits on a rolling basis and says it may close vacancies early once it has enough applications, so candidates are advised to apply as soon as they can.

Apprenticeships on offer

Among the live adverts is an Overhead Lines Advanced Apprentice role with National Grid Electricity Distribution in Brecon, Wales. The three-year programme leads to a City and Guilds Level 3 qualification in electrical power engineering and a permanent position on completion. The starting salary is £19,366, rising to £24,938 in year two, £32,473 in the development role at year two and a half, £37,770 in year three and £43,491 on completion.

Apprentices spend their first 12 weeks in induction training at National Grid training centres in Taunton and Eakring and at college, then learn on the job constructing, maintaining and repairing overhead lines. Applicants need five GCSEs at grade 4 or C and above, including English, maths and science, and must live within 30 minutes of the depot they apply to.

A Control Engineer Higher Apprentice role based at Pegasus Business Park in Castle Donington is also live, with a starting salary of £45,492. The three-year programme leads to a higher technical qualification in power systems engineering, with practical training, placements and academic study. Other apprenticeships listed include electrical technician, health and safety, data and digital, land surveyor and HVDC engineering roles.

Graduate schemes and placements

Alongside the apprenticeships, National Grid is recruiting graduates and placement students for 2027. Graduate schemes and industrial placements run across the company's electricity transmission and distribution businesses, with roles in engineering, commercial, digital and corporate functions. Summer internships are also available for students.

Applicants can apply for only one early careers opportunity per recruitment cycle, so National Grid advises candidates to review all the programmes carefully before choosing. Applications are reviewed as they arrive, and there is no single fixed closing date across the campaign.

Who can apply

National Grid's early careers opportunities in the UK are open to applicants who already have an existing and valid right to work in the UK. The company says that in most cases it is unable to offer sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system, so applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

National Grid describes itself as the UK's critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day. Its electricity distribution business serves more than eight million people across the Midlands, the South West of England and South Wales.

Vacancies and full application details are listed on National Grid's official jobs portal. Sources: National Grid jobs portal and Opportunities for Youth, 11 November 2026.