Bringing a new generation of line workers into the sector through our bespoke training programme

After noticing an industry decline in the number of experienced line workers, our electricity transmission team has developed a bespoke line workers training programme to support the increased focus on renewable energy and electrification requirements.

We’ve pioneered a skills bootcamp with City & Guilds, which aims to train new people in our sector through a ten-week line worker focussed training programme. This course is aimed at people with no prior experience, all that we ask for is good attitude, confidence working at height, positivity about working away from home and physical fitness to meet the demands of the role.

Following a selection process and assessment day, successful candidates are placed on our training programme, taking part in three weeks of compliance training at our depot, covering safety critical subjects, including climbing and rescue and emergency first aid.

They then take part in seven weeks of focus training, run by professional mentors. This sees the candidates gain hands-on experience, working on clients disconnected circuits. Many day-to-day tasks that line workers would complete are covered in these sessions, making sure they feel comfortable in these tasks before starting with their teams.

At the end of the training programme, an award ceremony is held for outstanding achievements for both the most capable and the most improved candidates.

Jason Burns, SHEQ & Training Director, said: “Our training programme allows each new starter to come into the industry at a level above a trainee and develop a career path for the future. Onboarding in this way allows us to grow safely as a business, ensuring we have the workforce to deliver to the standards we want to for our clients.”

This training has been made possible with collaboration with National Grid, City and Guilds and the Department for Education.

We’ve successfully run four cohorts to date and trained 113 people.