Time to complete the application - we anticipate that the application process could take you between one and two hours to complete so please make sure to allocate sufficient time and a quiet place to work. You will have the facility to save each page and to return to the application form to complete on separate occasions. However the last stage of the application process when you submit the full application and undertake the first part of the screening will need to be completed in one sitting.

Equivalent Qualifications outside the UK - if you have studied outside of the UK and believe that you have equivalent qualifications, please can you verify this with NARIC:  info@naric.org.uk. Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00 in advance of submitting your application.

Equivalent Qualifications inside the UK - if you have obtained equivalent qualifications in the UK, please verify this with Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) through their website: http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-assessments/89-articles/147-equivalent-qualifications in advance of submitting your application.

Our assessment centres are made up of a competency based interview, group exercise and a presentation designed to find out if you've got the initial qualities we're looking for.

On day 1 of the assessment centre, there will be a welcome presentation followed by 90 minutes preparation time (working individually) to prepare for your presentation on day 2. 

On day 2, you will complete a group exercise, presentation and interview.

Our five competencies are:

Managing Relationships

Effective Communication

Drive and Initiative

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Organisation and Planning

This is an interview where we ask you specific questions about your past experiences so that we can gather evidence to measure your capability in a competence, and is designed to find out if you've got the initial qualities we're looking for in a Graduate.

We are happy to consider individuals who wish to defer their entry for a year on a case by case basis, however you do need to go through the recruitment process and have been made an offer first.

Qualifications - any qualifications you enter on the application form even if they are not required for the vacancy will be checked thoroughly by our background checking provider if you are successful in receiving an offer from National Grid. If any details are found to be incorrect this could lead to the offer being withdrawn. Attained qualifications will be checked at the Assessment Centre and verified by the Resourcing team and third parties that they are original documents.

This also applies to the education and employment details that are submitted on the application form. If the work experienced you have obtained is through an Employment Agency please ensure you provide us with their name.

Supporting documents - we would encourage you to upload any supporting documents on the application system. This could be transcript of exam results, qualification certificates etc.

There is also an option to upload a CV if you have one already prepared.

Business dress for the assessment centre, such as a suit or jacket, or similar, and smart casual for dinner (smart jeans are acceptable).

You will move into a permanent role in the organisation and continue to use the techniques and tools you have been shown during the development programme to continue to drive your career.

UCAS points are not an essential element of the criteria.

Engineering graduates are supported towards chartership with a relevant institution.  Procurement Buyer will be supported to CIPS and Finance Analyst supported with CIMA.

Email Communication - all communication during the application process will be made via email, please ensure that you enter your email address correctly. Please also be aware of any filters or firewalls that may prevent you from receiving emails, and remember to check your Spam or Junk email folders regularly. National Grid or its agents, subsidiary companies, Alliance Partners and any contracted data processors cannot be held responsible for lost emails. We would advise you to use an email address that you are able to access regularly and do so from the time you apply. Please be aware of our Assessment Events which can be viewed on our website.

Your Business Coordinator and Development Specialist will work with you to define the best project rotations for you to undertake in order to accelerate your development both through and after the Graduate Programme. These projects could be in various locations around the UK. We are looking for individuals who strive to deliver exceptional performance from day one and who are keen to take on the most challenging projects in order to drive their development.

We are happy to accept applications from MBA graduates however the starting salary offered will be equivalent to an individual who has studied a Master of Engineering (MEng).

All new starters to National Grid have to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire - if anything is picked up from there then you may need to go on to have a full medical.

However, as part of the pre employment process, all new starters have to pass a drugs and alcohol test.

UCAS points are not part of the selection criteria. A 2:2 is the minimum for engineering applications.

Only apply to one career path i.e Technical Engineer.  Call or email the Resourcing Team if you are interested in other career paths.

Telephone: 0207 061 1939

Email: nationalgridcareers@gtisolutions.co.uk

We are recruiting for six different career paths on the Graduate Development Programme that are crucial to National Grid's future success.  The 18 month programme (3 years for the Finance Analyst) has been designed to accelerate your development by offering you key experiences and knowledge within your relevant career path, ensuring you are ready and prepared for this demanding role in 18 months time. 

Your Business Coordinator will have a good understanding of the career path area and will be able to discuss the right rotation for you.

Preparation is all-important. Be sure to think about your previous experiences (work, education, extra curricular activities etc.) and what you have learned and gained from each of those. It's always good to have a variety of examples at hand. Remember, we are assessing you against the competencies!

It's also essential to do some research into the business - and you can find lots of information about us here on the website.

During the selection process - stay calm, be yourself, don't try to second guess what we are looking for or act out of character otherwise you will only mask your natural strengths and qualities. Whether it's an interview question or a group exercise, listen to what's being asked of you as this will enable you to demonstrate the skills you have.

After meeting our initial programme requirements and successful completion of the Situational Judgement Test, we then go through each submitted application against our set criteria. If you get through this stage, there is a telephone interview asking you competency-based questions. And then, the final step is an assessment centre. You will be assessed against our competencies at each stage of your application, so please be prepared.

We only have one intake a year onto the Graduate Development Programme every September.  We are currently recruiting for the September 2013 intake.

Documents at Assessment Centre - you will be expected to provide originals of your qualifications and right to work in the UK without Company sponsorship documentation at the Assessment Centre.  Please be proactive and ensure that this information is current and available in the event that you are successful in reaching an Assessment Centre.  If the qualifications are not obtained then please provide an original latest summary of results or a covering letter from your Tutor.  Some documentation can take up to 8 weeks to obtain new originals.  Attained qualifications will be checked at the Assessment Centre and verified by the Resourcing team and third parties that they are original documents.

It's unlikely, because a commercial graduate probably wouldn't have the relevant technical qualifications or understanding to transfer to the technical or property schemes. But we would take each case on its merits if there was a request.

This is an international business; and because of the nature of some of our projects, we've seen people travel to various countries on assignment. Obviously we can't guarantee that you will; but you never know ... 

Typically there is no international travel during your Graduate Development Programme.

Assessment Centres will begin in December 2012 and will be based at Warwick Conference Centre near to Warwick University in Coventry.

37 hours per week, although exact start and finish times can be dependent upon the location and the aspects of your project.

In order to achieve the most from the Graduate Development Programme you will need to be flexible where you work.  Often the most remote location or the most difficult project can offer you the greatest developmental experience.

You are permitted to submit an application in two consecutive years.  We are unable to accept a third application.  If you attend an assessment centre for the second time, it would be helpful if you could now show some additional experience that would support your case.

No but you must be willing to learn to drive a car and obtain a UK licence by the time you join our Graduate Development Programme. As part of the programme you are required to be mobile and undertake projects anywhere throughout the UK in order to accelerate your development.

The Situational Judgement Test will present you with various situations you could encounter during your time on the programme.  We are looking for you to identify what is the most effective and what is the least effective response to each situation.

You should spend the same amount of time identifying the least effective response as you would for the most effective response.  Both areas are awarded an equal level of scoring. 

Please make sure you sit the test in one session and that you select a quiet area to do this away from any distractions. 

This test has been developed and validated by individuals who are currently performing well on our development programmes and within their permanent roles.

The questions on the Situational Judgement Test have been designed for the Graduate Development Programme and are not relevant for a different career profile any support that you may be given by a friend or family member could seriously impact the final result of this test.

We do not expect you to have any prior knowledge or experience in this kind of role. We are assessing how you judge a situation and whether you can recognise the most effective or least effective reaction to each of the given situations.

There are no trick answers and you can assume that the information in the responses is correct and that you would undertake the activities you suggest.  Each situation should be considered on its own merits; the situations do not link or relate to each other.

National Grid is unable to provide sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the sponsorship criteria set by the UK Border Agency under the Points Based System. You must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship to be considered.

National Grid is unable to provide sponsorship for the graduate role as it does not meet the sponsorship criteria set by the UK Border Agency under the Points Based System. You must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship to be considered.

You will need to state on your application what basis you are eligible to work in the UK, for example:

• British / European Economic /Swiss/A8 National
• HSMP / Tier 1 Holder
• A2 (Bulgaria / Romania) National
• Dependant Visa
• Indefinite Leave / Settlement

The closing date is the 31st January 2013, however, applications for the Information Services and Property Management vacancies will remain open until late February.  Be proactive through the recruitment process - don't wait for the closing date of the 31st January 2013!  Our first Assessment Centres will begin in December 2012.  We will make offers of employment after each Assessment Centre.

The recruitment campaign for the 2014 intake will begin in October 2013.

 Diversity Monitoring Information

National Grid and its subsidiaries, is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all.  In compliance with Company policy and to enable us to effectively monitor our recruitment practices; we need to gather diversity information in respect to gender, ethnic minority, nationality, sexual orientation and disability.

When you submit your completed form, this diversity information will be saved separately from your main application. It will not be used in any way as part of the selection process.  This information is voluntary, if you do not wish to answer a question please choose “I prefer not to state”

Employee Resource Groups

We value and respect the strengths and differences among our employees, customers and communities. As a way of fostering inclusion and diversity at National Grid, we have a number of employee resource groups.