Groundworker Apprenticeship

Summary

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.

Annual wage: £18,278 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Groundworker (level 2)
Hours: Monday- Friday Shifts to be confirmed
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Thursday 20 February
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 3

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 have the knowledge and understanding of:

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 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
Gauging, mixing, placing, compacting and finishing mortars and concrete by hand and by mixer
Reinstating excavations and ground surface finishes including installing street ironworks

Where you’ll work

SALFORD BRIDGE WHARF

TYBURN ROAD

BIRMINGHAM

B24 8NP

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

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

More training information

At the end of an 18 month period you will gain a Level 2 qualifiaction in Ground Work
Functional Skills will be provided if necessary
This is delivered from our Construction college midlands site, delivered in two week block release every two to three months

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

Candidate Must be 18+ for site insurance purposes

About this company

R&C WILLIAMS LTD Established in 1957 by Ron & Charles Williams, R&C Williams have adopted their passion for quality, to grow into one of the Midlands Leading Public & Civil Engineering companies. Centrally located in the heart of Spaghetti Junction, R&C Williams service the entire central region with unrivalled response rates coupled with expert local knowledge and experience to become the favoured choice for large and small civil engineering projects. R&C Williams undertake a variety of different building and maintenance projects including: • General Groundworks • Concrete Repairs • Fencing • Drainage • Kerbing • Brickwork • Prepare & Lay Concrete • Plus much more...

https://randcwilliams.ltd.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Continued progression with R&C WillIiams LTD

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WALSALL COLLEGE

Sam Williams

samanthawilliams@walsallcollege.ac.uk

01922 688898

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000290392.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 18 February

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