Electricity Distribution Worker

Electricity distribution workers are sometimes known as transmission workers. They build, install and maintain the equipment, machinery and distribution systems that supply electricity to homes, industry and commerce across the United Kingdom.

They work in one of three specialist jobs at craft level.

• Electrical fitters work on the equipment in electricity sub-stations.


• Cable jointers work on underground cables.


• Linespersons work on overhead lines.

The Work

Electrical Fitter

You could be:

• installing equipment in electricity sub-stations, as well as working on other equipment and machinery that controls, protects and monitors the flow of electricity


• making sure that this machinery and equipment is well-maintained and safe


• carrying out repairs as necessary.

• installing underground power cables, joining lengths of cable together and repairing them


• connecting underground cables to overhead supply lines, electricity substations or other parts of the system


• connecting homes, offices, factories and public services to the main electricity supply.

• building the overhead electricity distribution lines which are supported by wooden poles or steel pylons


• joining and splicing cables and conductors


• testing lines and circuits


• maintaining these lines and carrying out repairs


• using ladders and safety harnesses to reach the overhead lines.

Conditions

• Conditions vary depending on the job.


• Electrical fitters deal with electricity sub-stations and transmission equipment, so they sometimes work indoors. At other times, they have to work on equipment out of doors.


• Cable jointers are outdoors much of the time, working in trenches where they lay cables. The conditions can be dirty and muddy. They may have to travel to different sites.


• Linespersons have to climb poles and pylons and work at heights, sometimes in difficult weather conditions. They often have to travel, sometimes to very remote places.


• In all cases, the work can be strenuous, physically demanding and involve lifting, bending and carrying.


• Hours may not be regular. You may have to work shifts and weekends. You will sometimes be on stand-by for emergencies. You should be prepared to work long overtime hours if there is a major power failure.

Getting In

• You could enter through a Modern Apprenticeship. Requirements vary, but you normally need at least 3 Standard grades, preferably English, maths and a science or technological subject.


• Or you could start by taking a qualification in electrical engineering or a similar subject. Relevant courses include a National Certificate (NC), a National Qualification (NQ) or a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND).
• Entry requirements range from about 3 Standard grades for NC and NQ courses to 1-2 Highers for HNC and HND courses. You should normally have English, maths and at least one science or technological subject at Standard grade or Higher.


• You may be able to qualify by other training routes.


• You should be physically fit. You need normal colour vision to work with electrical wiring. You should have a good head for heights to work as a linesperson.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• good practical skills
• a strong sense of responsibility
• an accurate, methodical approach
• a strong awareness of safety issues.

• plan your own work according to agreed timetables
• meet deadlines
• work alone and as part of a team
• solve problems


• pay attention to detail
• work at heights if you want to be a linesman.

Training

• Training through a Modern Apprenticeship combines on-the-job and off-the-job training and leads to National Vocational Qualifications Level 2 Electricity Systems Technology Engineering Support and Level 3 Electricity Systems Technology Engineering.


• If you take a college course first, you would then take a job with an employer and do further training to gain relevant qualifications.


• Following your apprenticeship or college course and after further training with your employer, you can work towards registering as Engineering Technician (EngTech) with the Engineering Council UK (ECUK).


• If you do not follow either of the above training routes, you may still be able to achieve EngTech by another approved route. You can check these alternative routes with ECUK or with the relevant professional engineering institution.

Getting On

• After gaining experience, you may be promoted to become a supervisor and perhaps move into management later.


• Engineering Technicians (EngTech) usually work under the general supervision of professional electrical or electronic engineers. With further study and training, technicians can progress to become electrical or electronic engineers at the higher levels of Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.