2026 Graduate Operations Centre Technician, IT & Digital
Content + Source + Freshness • 16 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
This graduate program offers substantial skills development in network operations within the energy sector, although it requires full-time onsite attendance.
- Starting salary of £36,640 with potential bonuses
- Structured support program for technical development
- Mandatory attendance in high-stakes network management
- Limited remote work options due to nature of role
Pros
- In-depth exposure to network operations and IT infrastructure
- Structured learning paths with mentorship from experienced professionals
- Engagement in a crucial role supporting national energy infrastructure
Cons
- Mandatory on-site attendance limits flexibility
- Potential for high-pressure situations during network incidents
- Earnings may start relatively lower compared to tech sectors
Who it's for
Graduate Level • On-site with mandatory attendance
Good fit
- Recent graduates in IT and related fields
- Candidates eager to work in network management roles
- Individuals seeking career entry into the energy sector
Not recommended for
- Those wanting flexibility with remote work
- Candidates uninterested in high-pressure technical environments
- Individuals limited in technical skills or experience
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
About us
National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.
But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy.
About The Role
We're looking for detail-oriented and motivated Graduate NOC Technician candidates to join our Unified Technology Operations Centre (UTOC) team. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Network Operations Centre (NOC) and network management, supporting the smooth running of our infrastructure and helping deliver secure, reliable services across National Grid.
As part of our UK Graduate Programme, you'll assist in troubleshooting network incidents, installing and configuring hardware and software, and supporting the roll-out of new technologies within the UTOC. You'll work alongside experienced professionals and develop your skills in network infrastructure, IT operations, and data centre technologies.
You'll be part of a team that ensures maximum performance and availability of our networks - a critical function that supports millions of homes and businesses.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to our vision of being a world-leading Information Technology and Digital function in the energy sector, and a trusted partner across National Grid businesses.
Please note that this role requires full on-site attendance for every shift, as remote working is not possible due to the nature of the work involved.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Participate in on-call support rotation covering a 7/24/356 schedule.
- Network Monitoring & Maintenance: Monitor performance, conduct preventative checks, and perform routine upgrades (e.g., patches, hotfixes, security configurations) to ensure system availability and reliability.
- Issue Diagnosis & Support: Identify and troubleshoot complex networking issues, deliver Level-1 support.
- Configuration & Compliance: Configure and install network devices (e.g., routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs), ensuring compliance with security policies and change management procedures.
- Stakeholder Communication & Documentation: Communicate during critical events, document network setups and incidents, and coordinate with vendors for service installations.
- Capacity Planning & Collaboration: Monitor system resource usage, support capacity planning, and provide technical assistance to other teams.
Our Graduate Programme
As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 121 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.
All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to our IT & Digital pathway you'll develop your IT technical skills including AGILE and Scrum. You'll also gain important insights in engineering and electricity to help broaden your understanding of our business and industry.
We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you'll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your superpowered career.
What you'll need to apply
You'll need to achieve, or be working towards, a minimum 2:2 in Network Infrastructure, Information Technology, Data Centre Operations. It doesn't matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.
Due to the amount of travel to our data centre you'll need to currently have a full valid UK driving license at the time of application.
Location
For operational requirements this role requries the candidate to live within a 60 minute drive of the Hams Hall Data Centre: B46 1AW. You will be asked to evidence this in your application
What You'll Get In Return
We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640
Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too:
- £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
- 26 days holiday
- £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
- Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
- Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities.
More Information
You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.
We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process.
Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026
National Grid's Graduate & Student opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.
Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.
Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
At National Grid, it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger, so we pride ourselves on placing diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of who we are and what we do and are committed to building a workforce of the future which represents the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office where and when needed. All our offers are based on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, the innovation from creating diverse teams and perspectives, as well as business need.
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