Apprentice Ground Engineer

Summary

Do you want to build a career that combines fieldwork, geology & engineering to shape the future of site development? You will be joining a knowledgeable, talented & friendly team within the UKs leading ground investigation company & be trained to assist, manage & lead a variety of exciting projects in combination with your academic studies.

Wage

£21,600 a year

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Training course

Geoscientist (integrated degree) (level 6)

Hours

Full time Monday to Friday. Standard office hours 08:45 - 17:15, with 0.5hr lunch break. However, daily routine will vary to meet the needs of site work/the business and study requirements.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

5 years

Positions available

1

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

Master the ground beneath us - understand the fundamental influences of soil, rock, groundwater and contamination on construction and development projects.
Explore UK geology - learn about principal soil and rock formations, their origins, and how they impact ground investigations.
Develop key technical skills - get hands-on experience in soil and rock logging to British Standards.
Conduct research - investigate geology, hydrogeology, landfills, borehole records, coal records and other information relevant to project proposals.
Design site investigations - use your research to develop conceptual site models and preliminary risk assessments and select the best method of site investigation and analysis.
Develop confidence in SHEQ - learn how to apply safety, health, environment, and quality principles to ground investigation projects.
Get hands-on field experience - work on real projects involving borehole drilling, trial pitting, in-situ testing, geophysical logging and other investigation techniques.
Analyse & report findings - Learn how to schedule geotechnical and geoenvironmental testing and produce high-quality reports.
Manage & lead projects - Build your expertise to plan, organise, and supervise investigations across the UK.
Ongoing learning & mentorship - Benefit from regular technical training sessions and mentor support to track your progress.

Where you’ll work

Stillhouse Lane
Bristol
BS3 4EB

Training

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

College or training organisation

UNIVERSITY OF KEELE

Your training course

Geoscientist (integrated degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Integrate and critically evaluate information from different sources to test findings and hypotheses.
Consider, appraise and inform ground related issues to multidisciplinary teams.
Define complex geoscience related problems, a strategy to understand the problem and evaluate possible solutions. For example: resource scarcity, foundations, sustainability energy supply.
Test geological models to inform and design investigations.
Plan, conduct and present independent geoscientific projects with appropriate guidance.
Consider inconsistencies and uncertainty and gaps in data when developing geological models.
Apply geoscientific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
Conduct and supervise fieldwork, geoscience mapping and laboratory investigations as appropriate and in accordance with safe working practices and legal requirements.
Apply appropriate numerical, statistical, geostatistical and qualitative techniques in the evaluation of data and information.
Utilise digital technologies, instrumentation and remote sensing for the collection, analysis and modelling of data.
Communicate relevant geoscience insights to external stakeholders using different formats and media.
Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and develop personal development goals.
Plan and organise own workload and contribute to the completion of geoscientific projects.
Collaborate with stakeholders online, remotely and in person, using appropriate techniques.
Carry out geoscientific site surveys independently across a range of environments.
Keep up to date with advances in working practices and emerging technologies and disseminate learning across the organisation.
Prepare geoscience risk assessments in accordance with associated legislation for health, safety and wellbeing.
Apply equality, diversity and inclusivity good practice to inform decision making.
Produce recommendations that align to client requirements and organisational objectives that demonstrate the application of ethical, environmental sustainability and compliance with relevant legislation.
Integrate and critically evaluate information from different sources to test findings and hypotheses.
Consider, appraise and inform ground related issues to multidisciplinary teams.
Define complex geoscience related problems, a strategy to understand the problem and evaluate possible solutions. For example: resource scarcity, foundations, sustainability energy supply.
Test geological models to inform and design investigations.
Plan, conduct and present independent geoscientific projects with appropriate guidance.
Consider inconsistencies and uncertainty and gaps in data when developing geological models.
Apply geoscientific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
Conduct and supervise fieldwork, geoscience mapping and laboratory investigations as appropriate and in accordance with safe working practices and legal requirements.
Apply appropriate numerical, statistical, geostatistical and qualitative techniques in the evaluation of data and information.
Utilise digital technologies, instrumentation and remote sensing for the collection, analysis and modelling of data.
Communicate relevant geoscience insights to external stakeholders using different formats and media.
Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and develop personal development goals.
Plan and organise own workload and contribute to the completion of geoscientific projects.
Collaborate with stakeholders online, remotely and in person, using appropriate techniques.
Carry out geoscientific site surveys independently across a range of environments.
Keep up to date with advances in working practices and emerging technologies and disseminate learning across the organisation.
Prepare geoscience risk assessments in accordance with associated legislation for health, safety and wellbeing.
Apply equality, diversity and inclusivity good practice to inform decision making.
Produce recommendations that align to client requirements and organisational objectives that demonstrate the application of ethical, environmental sustainability and compliance with relevant legislation.

Your training plan

Approximately 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying. This will include formal lectures and remote-access directed study, field trips and practical sessions on your degree whilst with Keele University. Studies will be arranged in ‘blocks’ of weeks on campus, known as block release.

Alongside this you will work on a variety of projects with Structural Soils ground engineering teams on site and in the office. You will be based at one of our regional offices and will travel to sites across the UK working alongside our ground engineers. Block release means that you do not need to live close to Keele University, but we do ask that you live in easy commuting distance to your base office or are willing to relocate prior to starting.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

A Level in:

Geology, Geography, Science (others considered) (grade BBB)

BTEC in:

Any (grade DDM)

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
IT skills
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Initiative
Willing to travel & work away
Love of the outdoors

Other requirements

The apprenticeship will involve site/field & office-based work. Site work can involve a variety of development/construction sites, travel around the UK & extended periods working away. A valid full manual UK driving licence is essential. Unfortunately we are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

About this company

Since its establishment in 1964, Structural Soils has evolved into an award-winning national, multidisciplinary, integrated geotechnical and geoenvironmental site investigation company. Owing to our astute personnel and range of equipment, we have the capability and capacity to undertake contracts of any size and scope and in any location. We regularly work on projects across the UK, Europe and internationally, serviced by our support staff working from offices in Bristol, Castleford, Coventry, Glasgow, Hemel Hempstead, Wigan, Plymouth and Tonbridge. Structural Soils works with a vast number of clients from wide-ranging industries, both private and public. A client may seek advice on house subsidence, or a multinational energy company may require our help in constructing power stations. Our industry-renowned expert staff offer technical, logistical and contractual advice on all aspects of ground investigations. Our technical staff include civil engineers, geologists, engineering geologists, chemists and environmental scientists. Structural Soils is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors.

http://www.soils.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

31 days annual leave (incl Bank Holidays) life insurance, pension scheme, free private GP service, option to buy additional holidays, health cash plan, discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, payment of professional membership.

After this apprenticeship

This apprenticeship aligns with the Geological Society of London for Fellow and Science Council for Registered Scientist (RSci). We have an established chartership scheme and support staff looking to achieve chartered status with the Geological Society.

On completion of your apprenticeship you will not only hold a degree in Geoscience and (for the right candidate) an offer of permanent employment, but you’ll also have 5 years of practical on the job training and experience, having built a strong foundation for a career in ground investigation.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Structural Soils Limited

Maria Hartford-Beynon

Maria.hartford-beynon@soils.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000313813.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025)

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