Researching employers

Researching energy and utilities apprenticeships

Energy and water companies run well-paid apprenticeships in roles like cable jointing, water treatment and nuclear. What to compare, with real pay from SSE, Severn Trent, United Utilities and more.

  • Applies to UK-wide
  • Reviewed
  • Reading time 2 min

The short answer

Energy and utilities apprenticeships include power networks, water and wastewater, renewables and nuclear, mostly in engineering and technical roles. Many companies publish pay: United Utilities starts on £20,000, Severn Trent on £24,455 and Scottish Water on £25,312. Lots of roles are on sites across a region, so check whether you need a driving licence.

Key figures

Severn Trent's base salary for apprentices, reviewed every 12 months
£24,455
Source: Severn Trent
Scottish Water's starting salary for Modern Apprenticeships
£25,312
Source: Scottish Water
SSE apprentices and trainees who stay at SSE after finishing their training
92%
Source: SSE
NIE Networks' entry salary, rising to £31,500+ in a permanent role
£17,383
Source: NIE Networks

Energy and water companies keep the lights on and the taps running, and they need a steady supply of trained people to do it. That’s why many of them run large apprenticeship programmes, and they’re unusually open about pay.

What kind of work

  • Power networks: cable jointing, overhead lines and substations
  • Water and wastewater: treatment works, pumping stations, reservoirs and pipes
  • Nuclear: maintaining and building power stations
  • Office roles: data, project management, finance and HR

Pay at a glance

Employer Area Published starting pay
Scottish Water Water, Scotland £25,312 (Modern Apprenticeship)
Severn Trent Water, Midlands £24,455
SSE Energy £14,894 (entry level); £24,580 (higher and degree)
United Utilities Water, North West £20,000 (Levels 2–5); £21,000 (Level 6)
NIE Networks Electricity, Northern Ireland £17,383, rising to £31,500+

Yorkshire Water, UK Power Networks, EDF and Sellafield also run apprenticeships but don’t all publish pay.

What to compare

Where you’d work

Utilities cover whole regions. NIE Networks asks you to live within 30 miles of one of its seven team locations, and United Utilities recruits across the five counties of the North West. Check the commute before you apply.

Driving

Many site roles involve driving between locations. NIE Networks asks for a licence or a plan to get one, and United Utilities contributes up to £500 towards lessons.

Emergencies and weather

Networks run 24/7. NIE Networks says apprentices need to be flexible for storms and other bad weather, sometimes outside normal hours.

Staying on

SSE says 92% of its apprentices and trainees stay after training, and NIE Networks says apprentices can apply for permanent roles paying £31,500 or more.

Next steps

Compare everyone on our energy and utilities page. Many of these roles are engineering apprenticeships, so our guide to researching engineering apprenticeships is worth reading too.

Summary

  • Energy and utilities apprenticeships cover power networks, water, renewables and nuclear.
  • Many companies publish their pay, from about £15,000 to over £25,000 to start.
  • Roles are often spread across a region, and some need a driving licence.
  • Trades like cable jointing and overhead lines are common, alongside office roles.

Questions you might have

How much do energy and water apprentices get paid?

Among companies that publish it: United Utilities starts at £20,000, Severn Trent at £24,455, Scottish Water at £25,312 for Modern Apprenticeships, and SSE at £14,894 for entry-level and £24,580 for higher and degree apprentices.

Do you need a driving licence for a utilities apprenticeship?

Sometimes. NIE Networks asks for a licence or a willingness to get one quickly, and United Utilities says some roles need one and puts up to £500 towards lessons.

What does a cable jointer apprentice do?

You learn to install, connect and repair underground electricity cables. UK Power Networks and NIE Networks both train cable jointers, alongside overhead linespeople and substation fitters.

Are there nuclear apprenticeships?

Yes. EDF's Engineering Maintenance Technician apprenticeship takes four years, starting with two years at the National College for Nuclear, and Sellafield runs apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 6.

Do energy apprentices stay with the company?

Often. SSE says 92% of its apprentices and trainees stay after finishing their training.

Sources and review

Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.

  1. Application advice Severn Trent · accessed
  2. Modern Apprenticeships Scottish Water · accessed
  3. Early careers FAQs SSE · accessed
  4. What is the apprentice salary? United Utilities · accessed
  5. 2026 Apprenticeship Roles Specification NIE Networks · accessed
  6. Apprenticeships UK Power Networks · accessed
  7. Apprenticeships EDF · accessed

Read about how we research and review content.

  • NIE Networks apprenticeships

    The company that owns Northern Ireland's electricity network. Its IET-accredited apprenticeships train linespeople, cable jointers and electricians over 2 to 3 years, starting on £17,383 and rising to £31,500+ for those who go on to permanent roles.

    Energy and utilities
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced

  • Scottish Water apprenticeships

    Scotland's public water company. Modern Apprenticeships start from £25,312 and last one to four years, and Graduate Apprenticeships start from £27,161 with a degree from a Scottish university.

    Energy and utilities
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Severn Trent apprenticeships

    The water company serving the Midlands. Its apprenticeships run from Level 2 to Level 6, start on £24,455 with a pay rise every year, and come with 25 days' holiday and a bonus of up to £1,500.

    Energy and utilities
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • SSE apprenticeships

    The energy company behind electricity networks and renewable power across the UK and Ireland. Entry-level apprentices earn £14,894 and higher or degree apprentices £24,580, and most apprenticeships take three to four years.

    Energy and utilities
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • UK Power Networks apprenticeships

    The company that maintains the electricity networks across London, the South East and the East of England. Its two- to three-year Power Industry Apprenticeships train cable jointers, overhead linespeople and substation fitters, with pay rises at milestones.

    Energy and utilities
    Levels not confirmed

  • United Utilities apprenticeships

    The water company for the North West of England. It offers apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 6, starting on £20,000 (£21,000 at Level 6) plus an annual bonus of up to 7.5%, 26 days' holiday and up to £500 towards driving lessons.

    Energy and utilities
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree