A Power Networks Technician carries out emergency repairs and routine maintenance on substation and power networks, ensuring everyone has access to electricity
The electricity we receive in our homes, schools, factories, shops and offices is transported to us through a vast network of high-voltage power cables, transformers and storage facilities. This network needs to be planned, managed and maintained, as more places need electricity and parts of the network get old.
The energy that creates the electricity comes from several different sources, including fossil fuel power stations and increasingly renewable sources of energy, including solar farms, and wind and wave turbines. You could be the technician who helps to connect the new, cleaner sources and contributes to greener energy supply.
You will begin your career working in a team, learning how different parts of power networks connect and operate. With experience you may become a specialist in a particular area, with responsibility for training others.
You might choose to specialise in renewable energy because of your commitment to combatting climate change. Or you could become involved in the commissioning of new technologically-advanced kit that is more energy efficient and reliable.
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job. But if you're interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
Options available after GCSEs:
More options available after that:
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
The network that electricity travels across is known as the National Grid. If one part of it breaks down, the grid will continue to supply electricity from other power stations on the grid. Through the maintenance work you do, you’ll help to ensure people don’t lose their electricity supply. Or if extreme weather conditions mean electric power is down, you’ll be part of the team making sure it is supplied again quickly.
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Substation Engineer
Asset Management Engineer
Planning Engineer
Design Engineer
Control Engineer
Electrical Project Engineer
Operational Delivery Manager
