General Construction Apprentice

Summary

Apprentices will be provided with the opportunity to combine their college training with enrolment in our internal skills training programme, which gives practical training and experience in the key skills required to become a successful groundworker. On completion, there is an opportunity to join the Company as a permanent employee.

Wage

£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Groundworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Thursday 07:00 - 16:00 (inclusive of unpaid breaks). Friday 07:00 - 15:00 (inclusive of unpaid breaks).

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

4

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Apprentices will join our existing team of operational staff based on construction sites contributing to the construction of projects.

Tasks will include:

Assisting lead tradesmen
Paving works
Kerbing
Laying Tarmac
Drainage works
All other aspects of road construction and general civil engineering works

Where you’ll work

Common Edge Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 5FH

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

PRESTON 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

We are working with a number of colleges across the north-west of England to secure places on apprentice-approved training programmes.

Apprentices will attend college 1 day per week at either Salford, Middleton or Preston College to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in Construction Operations or Level 2 Groundworker qualification.

The apprentice will also be enroled in our own internal skill training programme, which will provide the apprentice with evidence of practical skills which they have learnt in the workplace and will be invaluable to employers.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

english (grade 5)
mathematics (grade 5)

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
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Physical work sometimes in inclement weather

About this company

George Cox and Sons Ltd. are a civil engineering and highway contractor working across the north-west on a number of local authority, long term, framework contracts. As a result of an increase in works, George Cox are looking to increase their workforce and seeking to train and develop apprentices.

After this apprenticeship

Strong candidates will be given the opportunity to become permanent employees.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

GEORGE COX & SONS LTD

Nicola Shewring

nicola.shewring@gcox.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000311457.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Applicants can apply by sending a CV with a covering letter to hr@gcox.co.uk

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