Highway electrical maintenance and installation operative
Level 2 · IntermediateConstruction and the built environment 2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Highway Electrical Maintenance and Installation Operative apprenticeship at Level 2 trains you to install, test, and maintain street lighting, traffic signals, illuminated signs, and other highway electrical systems that keep roads safe day and night. You will work outdoors in all weathers, following strict safety procedures and electrical standards on public roads and motorways. It is an entry point into highways electrical engineering with local authorities, National Highways contractors, and utility companies.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Highway electrical systems - street lighting, traffic signals, and signs
Safe working on or near live carriageways and traffic management
Basic electrical principles - circuits, cables, and connections
Cable jointing, termination, and underground cable installation
Fault finding on highway electrical equipment
Health and safety legislation including NRSWA and SROH
Use of access equipment including elevated work platforms
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Install and connect street lighting columns and luminaires
Carry out routine maintenance checks on traffic signals and signs
Locate and repair faults in highway electrical systems
Set up traffic management to protect work sites safely
Assist with cable laying and jointing in underground ducts
Complete work records and safety inspection sheets
Operate elevated work platforms and follow working-at-height rules
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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