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Electricity generation worker

Alternative titles for this job include Power station worker

Electricity generation workers operate and maintain equipment in power stations.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Electricity generation worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills needed to apply for a trainee job.

Courses include:

  • electrical or electronic engineering
  • engineering technology
  • engineering maintenance
  • electrical systems engineering

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship with a power generating company to get into this job. For example:

  • Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Project Controls Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Electrical Networks Power Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take around 3 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with off-site learning with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

Some power generation companies run training programmes for their workers, who have the potential to become successful technicians and engineers.

Direct Application

You might be able to apply for jobs directly if you've got experience and qualifications in electrical engineering or maintenance work from another industry.

More Information

Career tips

Power industry employers welcome applications from ex-military personnel who have developed technical skills during their time in the armed forces.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in the power industry from Energy and Utilities Jobs and National Grid.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • observation and recording skills
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of maths
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an electricity generation worker, you'll:

  • operate machinery from a power plant control room
  • carry out scheduled maintenance work
  • follow electrical diagrams to find and fix faults
  • isolate and test equipment to make sure it's working safely
  • respond to emergencies, for example shutting down part of a plant
  • monitor control systems and report issues
  • work closely with engineers and contractors

Working environment

You could work in a control room or in a workshop.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could become a supervisor, operations and maintenance technician or control and instrumentation engineer.

You could also take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in power engineering and become an electrical or mechanical engineer.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

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  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: HULLAND WARD, ASHBOURNE

Control and Instrumentation Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £16,750 a year Annually
  • Location: Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire

Courses In England

Diploma in Engineering Technology

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London

Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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