Level 3 Electrical and Instrumentation Apprenticeship (St Fergus)

Join us as a Graduate apprentice and help be the energy behind the change.

National Gas is the backbone of Britain's energy system. We're responsible for securing the UK's energy, whilst leading the way to a net-zero future. 
 
This is a four year Electrical and Instrumentation Apprenticeship based at our St Fergus terminal, where you’ll learn how to keep important gas site equipment working safely and reliably.

National Gas runs the huge network of pipes that move gas around the UK, helping supply power stations, factories and around 23 million homes. As an apprentice, you become part of the team that keeps all of this running smoothly, which means your work actually helps keep the lights on and heating working for people across the country.

What you’ll be doing

As an Electrical and Instrumentation apprentice, you won’t be sat behind a screen; you'll spend your time learning out on site from skilled technicians who keep our equipment running safely and reliably. So, you’ll need to enjoy hands-on practical work and be curious about how things work. You’ll attend college and dedicated training days to build your engineering knowledge and ability.

You’ll learn how to repair, test and maintain electrical systems which are crucial for the safe operation of our sites. You’ll work with instrumentation, looking at the sensors and monitoring tools that tell us how our pipes and compressors are performing, so we can keep the whole system running at its best. These sensors might tell us how much pressure is in a pipe, how fast the gas is flowing, or what temperature the system is running at, for example.

Throughout the apprenticeship you’ll develop skills in how to work safely in hazardous areas and follow strict safety standards that keep our people and sites protected.

You’ll build skills in:

•    Using and understanding the latest electrical, control and monitoring technologies. 
•    Carrying out routine maintenance on electrical and instrumentation equipment.
•    Working with instrumentation like pressure, flow and temperature sensors. 
•    Fault-finding with specialist testing tools and control-system data.
•    Completing essential health and safety tasks, including risk assessments 

Your day to day might involve checking and calibrating sensors, testing circuits, helping diagnose faults, assisting with planned maintenance, or supporting technicians during equipment upgrades. No two days will be the same, and you’ll quickly build confidence working with real equipment, in real environments.

We’ll work closely with your college to review your progress at regular intervals, providing feedback and guiding your development. You’ll have a tailored personalised plan that ensures you have appropriate support and training. The majority of your learning will be on the job, with off-the-job training and one-to-one tutoring. 

About You

If you’re ready to kick-start your career with hands-on experience and top-notch training, this is a great time to join National Gas. A willingness to learn and put yourself out there will be essential for making the most of this opportunity and give you the tools you’ll need to set yourself up for an exciting and long-lasting career with us.  

This apprenticeship is perfect for someone who is proactive, likes hands-on practical work and thrives on ‘getting stuck in’. You’ll be curious about how things work and enjoy problem solving. You’ll take pride in your work and be excited by the opportunity to learn how we keep energy flowing safely and efficiently. 

The Essentials

This is a 4-year fixed-term apprenticeship. To be considered for this scheme, you’ll need:

•    A National 5 pass in maths and a National 4 in English
•    A cover letter is essential to help us understand why you're a great fit for the role. Check out our guidance below! 
•    You’ll need to be comfortable with travel and overnight stays. This means that you’ll need to have a driving license by the time you would be joining us (August 2026!).
•    You'll need to have permanent right to work in the UK for the entirety of this programme, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 
•    As you’ll be working on Critical National Infrastructure, you’ll also need to pass enhanced National Security Vetting, meaning you’ll need to be able to provide a 5-year UK address history. Your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You’ll need to live within commutable distance of our St Fergus terminal. We consider this to be no more than 10 miles or approximately a 30-minute drive. Many of our colleagues tend to travel from Peterhead or Fraserburgh. 

Please note, apprentices wishing to be based in Aberdeen and commute from there will not be considered. 

Studies suggest that women tend to apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you resonate with our mission, the role excites you and your skills align, we encourage you to apply.

What should you include in your cover letter?

A cover letter is a chance for us to get to know you as a person – we understand you may not have workplace experience yet, and that’s absolutely fine! Let us know about your personal qualities and interests. Your cover letter should be no more than one A4 page. Make sure it includes:

•    Why you’re interested in working at National Gas
•    What personal skills and qualities you have that would make you a great apprentice
•    Why you want to become an Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice. This could be anything from an interest in engineering or practical, hands‑on activities, to enjoying science and how things work.

What you can expect from us

You’ll receive a range of benefits that reward your great work.  

•    Starting annual salary of £24,242, with annual performance-based increases 
•    A generous holiday allowance of 26 days plus statutory bank holidays, with the option to buy and sell additional days (capped at 5 days) 
•    2 paid days each financial year to volunteer for a worthwhile cause
•    A generous pension scheme with a double-match contribution – if you contribute 6%, we’ll contribute 12%, helping you build a strong financial future 
•    Professional development and career progression 
•    Employee assistance programme offering free confidential professional counselling 24 hours per day 

At National Gas, we pride ourselves on a supportive and collaborative work environment. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and support our employees in achieving it.  We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can perform at their best. Whether you’re starting out after school or looking to build on your existing experience, you’ll find an apprenticeship where you’re valued, supported, and encouraged from the moment you join.

You'll be mentored by experienced professionals and have opportunities to work on impactful projects. We ensure that you gain hands-on experience, with opportunities for career advancement and professional development. 

We encourage all apprentices to take ownership of their journey. You'll strive to grow and develop, taking advantage of all that National Gas has to offer. 

The 'nice to knows'

You'll start in a large cohort of other graduates and apprentices, where you'll attend an in-person induction in early September 2026, fostering strong workplace relationships that will build the foundation of your future networks.

Your next steps…

You'll be offered additional support and guidance throughout the application process by our Early Careers team. Eligible applications will be reviewed by a human, every step of the way.

You’re only able to apply for one of our apprenticeship schemes, so please consider this carefully. When reviewing your application, if we feel you might be a good fit for something else, we'll be sure to let you know.

If your online application is successful, you’ll be invited to complete a virtual solo-interview. The final stage is then an in-person Assessment at St Fergus with the team you’ll be joining, so please keep this in mind. Support is available towards travel costs if required.

Applications close on Sunday 8th March 2026.  Each year, we receive a large volume of applications, so we'd encourage you to apply early!

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At National Gas we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you require reasonable adjustments to complete the application process, please contact us at earlycareers@nationalgas.com