Groundworker Apprentice

Summary

A great opportunity to work for an established construction company with over 60 years' experience within the industry. You will work under the direction and guidance of an experienced supervisor, getting involved in a range of construction projects from start to finish.

Annual wage

£16,686 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed.

Training course

Groundworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday– Friday Between 7:30am– 5:00pm (Exact shifts TBC)

45 hours a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 7 January

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Groundworkers are the first trade onto a construction and civil engineering site and they work closely with supervisors and engineers in interpreting design specifications to prepare the site ready for the structural building works to take place. They continue their work throughout the construction phase, working with all on-site construction trades, such as bricklayers and plant operatives, up to and including the final completion activities of the project. Their work includes setting out and preparing the sub-surfaces ready for the structural work to begin, installing drainage systems, concreting, constructing roads and pathways and carrying out the finished hard landscaping. Groundworkers are able to transfer between heavy construction and civil engineering sites as well as house building, commercial building and general building sites. Groundworkers work for all types of construction companies from small subcontractors to large main contractors.

The principles of health, safety, welfare and environmentally responsible work practices and how they must be applied in relation to the work, self and to others including understanding the principles of risk assessments
Basic awareness of environmental and health hazards e.g. Japanese knotweed, asbestos. How to identify contaminated ground conditions and the procedures for working safely on it.
Basic principles of Building Information Modelling (BIM), drawings, method statements, manufacturers’ information, work schedules and specifications
Technology including key factors and systems of work appropriate to different work environments and industry sectors (e.g. civil engineering, private residential, commercial)
The differences between modern and traditional construction methods and the physical and environmental factors when undertaking construction work and their potential impacts
The techniques to handle and move loads manually and with mechanical aids including guiding the movement of articulated vehicles, plant and machinery using hand signals, hand signalling equipment and verbal/electronic communication equipment and storing resources safely and securely
Why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking groundworks (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE))
The principles and methods of working within confined space work
Erecting and dismantling access/working platforms
Establishing work area protection
Locating and excavating to expose buried utility services providing temporary works including excavation support
The basic principles of internal/external drainage and ducting systems
Measuring, marking, cutting and installing geo membranes to stabilise soil
Reinstating excavations and ground surface finishes including installing street ironworks

Where you’ll work

MANOR COTTAGE

CHURCH LANE

CUBBINGTON

LEAMINGTON SPA

CV32 7JT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

WALSALL COLLEGE

Your training course

Groundworker (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Work safely and securely in compliance with given information, organisational policies and procedures, and current health, safety and welfare legislation including following the procedures for working in contaminated ground
Conform with productive working practices and completing the work in accordance with the programme of work
Interpret and follow verbal and written work instructions from supervisors and site managers
Access, interpret and use drawings and specifications
Select the required resources including tools and fixtures
Move, handle and store resources complying with relevant legislation & guidance
Use and maintain power tools and equipment (including;. compactor plates, boning rods, portable power tools, levels, straight edges, lines, pins and laser equipment)
Gauge and mix mortars and concrete by hand and by mixer
Select and use basic setting out equipment including tape measures, levels, straight edges, lines and pins, boning rods and laser equipment under guidance of the supervisor
Install, maintain and remove temporary protection and safety arrangements for the work area relating to barriers and temporary structures, including protection, safety notices and safety lighting
Install and test basic drainage and ducting
Measure, mark, cut and install geo-membranes to stabilise soil for re-instatement and excavations
Transport and place, then compact and finish concrete to slabs/bases, footing oversights, paths, form slab edgings including positioning reinforcement and kerbs
Set out and lay flags, paviours and edging to paths, driveways and other areas
Install ironworks relating to access covers and frames, and gully grates and frames including preparatory brickwork
Locate and excavate to expose buried utility services using electronic location instruments
Provide and remove temporary works including shallow excavation support (up to 1.2 metres)
Form and reinstate excavations and surfaces to sub-grades, sub-bases and road bases
Prepare to, then direct and guide the movement of vehicles, plant or machinery

Your training plan

When applying for this role, you will be undertaking a Level 2 Groundworker Qualification
This will be taught in two-week block release every two to three months at Construction college midlands based in Kings Norton Birmingham

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths (grade 4/C)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4/C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Due to the nature of the work and with sites being all over, you will need to hold a driving licence and be able to get yourself to work.

About this company

Employer Description Enter a sentence giving a description of the employer. Usually you can copy and paste a little narrative from the employers own website, if they have one For example; An established insurance company, based in the West Midlands, with 25 years experience in commercial underwriting A 3rd generation, sustainably managed company, with a history dating back over 60 years. The business has survived four recessions over the years and has never had a year without profit. Based in Cubbington near Leamington Spa, we have operated in the development and construction industry since 1958. Founded by Tom O’Brien, the company is now in the hands of a board of directors, headed by Peter O’Brien. Throughout our history we’ve taken advantage of emerging technological advances to build on our extensive experience and provide a vast portfolio of quality services to clients in the civil engineering, construction, and sports sectors. With a turnover in the region of £35 million and individual contract values up to £15 million, we have seen considerable growth in recent years. This follows a successful diversification programme and drive to employ, retain and develop the best talent in the industry. Our expertise and track record have seen us trusted by JLR, Aston Villa FC and universities across the UK to deliver a range of projects across multiple sectors. Find out more about our portfolio work on our projects page.

https://obriencontractors.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There is a potential full-time position offered to the right candidate

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WALSALL COLLEGE

Sam Williams

samanthawilliams@walsallcollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000288005.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 6 January

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