NIE NETWORKS: “Go for it and get stuck in!”

Ellie Taylor from Kells is a Plant Maintenance Electrician with NIE Networks. She shares how their Apprentice Academy gave her a technical career with real responsibility and why more young women should consider a path they might never have pictured for themselves.

Ellie Taylor has always known that she learns best by ‘doing.’ Growing up in Kells, just outside Ballymena, she balanced her A-levels with a part-time job in a pharmacy. It gave her a sense of independence early on, but it also confirmed something important.

“I’ve always been very hands-on,” she says. “University just didn’t feel like the right thing for me. I wanted a career that reflected how I work and how I think.”

That instinct led her to the NIE Networks Apprentice Academy, a decision that has shaped her life in ways she never quite imagined.

Ellie is now a Plant Maintenance Electrician, working in substations across the north west. Her role is essential to keeping the electricity network safe and reliable. Alongside her team, she installs and maintains complex high-voltage equipment, with systems ranging from 415 volts to 275,000 volts.

“It’s serious work,” she says. “Everything has to be done correctly and safely. The team is  trusted with a huge amount of responsibility.”

Her apprenticeship combined recognised qualifications with on-site experience. What stood out most, though, was the way she was taught.

“The instructors have a great way of explaining things so you really understand,” she says. “There are no silly questions. Everyone is encouraged to ask and to learn. It was more fun than I ever expected a learning environment to be.”

She also found value in learning alongside other apprentices.

“Talking to people about their on-site experience and learning from each other was a big part of it. You realise you’re all in it together.”

Ellie first heard about NIE Networks through her uncle, who works for the company. He knew she did not want the university route and suggested she apply.

“My family thought an apprenticeship would really suit me,” she says. “It meant being hands-on while learning and earning.”

What sealed it was what she discovered when she started researching.

“I read that NIE Networks is known for looking after its people. I saw that around 96 per cent of apprentices stay on after qualifying. I also read that about 30 per cent of senior management came through the apprenticeship route. That told me people really progress here.”

A normal day in Ellie’s world is anything but ordinary.

“At the start of a week, we might arrive at a plant that needs to be disconnected from the system and made safe before any work can start,” she explains. “Once that’s done, we carry out maintenance, compressed air work and lots of other tasks.”

One day she could be building a brand-new 33,000-volt gas switchboard in a freshly built switch room. The next, she could be forty feet in the air in a mobile elevated work platform, carrying out high-voltage testing on a multi-million-pound transformer.

“Every day is different,” she says. “I love that.”

Ellie qualified from her apprenticeship in September 2025 and has already achieved her Authorised Persons panel, a significant milestone that allows her to carry out specific switching operations on the network.

“I worked hard for it,” she says. “With the help of my team, determination and a lot of learning, I passed in August. I’m really proud of that.”

Her ambition does not stop there.

“I’d love to become a Senior Authorised Person in the future and take on more responsibility in switching on the network,” she says.

What she enjoys most is the technical challenge.

“I love studying the system diagrams for a substation and finding points of isolation and earthing. I enjoy schematics and wiring multicore cable into panels. I also love being part of a team. Being a good team player matters to me.”

That sense of trust is one of the best parts of the job.

“We’re given the paperwork and instructions, we complete the work, and we return the paperwork when it’s done. That gives me such a sense of satisfaction. The team I’m in plays a big role within NIE Networks, but there’s always good craic and banter while we work. I’m just starting out, and my more experienced colleagues are always willing to help.”

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry is something Ellie is often asked about.

“I really enjoy it,” she says. “I know some women might be nervous about being treated differently, but I can honestly say I’ve never felt that.”

Her message to young women is direct.

“Go for it and get stuck in. I am so glad I chose the Apprentice Academy. Don’t let fear or doubt stop you. You are just as capable as anyone else, and you will truly enjoy it.”

The role can be demanding, especially when faults occur on the system, but Ellie has learned the importance of balance.

“I throw myself into work, but I also make sure I rest and do the things I enjoy.”

Her perfect weekend is simple.

“A drive to Portrush on a Sunday, a seaside walk with a coffee. I love taking it easy and resetting for the week.”

Professionally, she is inspired by a teammate called Geoffrey, who has worked with her since the start of her apprenticeship.

“He has an amazing amount of knowledge and never fails to help me grow mine,” she says.

For Ellie, the Apprentice Academy has offered more than training. It has given her a place in a world she might never have pictured for herself, one built on skill, trust and progress.

“It gave me a career that fits who I am,” she says. “And it can do that for someone else too.”

Applications for the NIE Networks Apprentice Academy close on 9 February at 11pm. Find out more at www.nienetworks.co.uk/careers

NIE Networks Apprentice Academy
A New Generation of Talent. A New Kind of Opportunity.

NIE Networks is opening the door to a new generation of talent through its award-winning Apprentice Academy, inviting people to build real, long-term careers in the energy sector.

This is an industry that is changing fast and NIE Networks is clear that its future workforce must reflect the communities it serves. The company actively encourages applications from women, as well as from ethnic minorities, disabled candidates and those seeking a career change, helping to open up roles that many people may never have considered.

Two apprenticeship routes are available, both combining hands-on experience with industry-recognised qualifications and expert mentoring.

Craftsperson Apprenticeships
Open to anyone aged 16+ by September 2026,.Candidates must hold, or expect to achieve, a minimum of 3 GCSE passes at Grades A*-D (Grades 4-9) to include Maths, English and a STEM-related subject.

Roles include:

• Overhead Linesperson
• Underground Cable Jointer
• Plant Maintenance Electrician
• Workshop Electrical and Mechanical Fitter

Apprentices gain Level 2 and Level 3 vocational qualifications through NIE Networks’ dedicated training schools and approved partners.

Higher-Level Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship
For applicants aged 18+ with GCSE Maths and English and A-levels or an Engineering BTEC. This pathway includes a Foundation Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, delivered in partnership with Northern Regional College.Candidates must hold GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above. Have achieved, or expect to achieve, 3 A levels (at grades A*-C) including Maths or Physics or ;BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering (MMP*) or; BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering (MM*)

For over 50 years, the NIE Networks Apprenticeship Programme has shaped careers in the energy sector. It is the only apprenticeship in Northern Ireland to hold Investors in People Platinum accreditation is also accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and proudly recognised by the Department for the Economy (DfE), and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Applications close on 9 February at 11pm
Find out more and apply at nienetworks.co.uk/apprenticeships