Groundworker Level 2 Apprenticeship working with Farncombe Construction

Farncombe Construction

Surrey (GU10 5RP)

Closes on Thursday 31 July 2025

Posted on 4 April 2025

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Summary

An exciting opportunity to join a market-leading civil engineering and groundworks company, currently looking for apprentices to join their groundworks division. You’ll receive fully funded training through CETC, the Civil Engineering Training Centre at South Hampshire College Group.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Apprenticeship pay scheme; U18s - £7.55 per hour, 18-20 - £10 per hour, 21+ - £12.21 The salary is under a pay review and there will be a higher onsite rate. Farncombe will support staff with reasonable travel costs, this can be discussed.

Training course
Groundworker (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day. Shift pattern to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

As an apprentice groundworker you will:

  • Clear and tidy the construction site
  • Dig trenches for foundations
  • Setting up sites, including putting up barriers, safety signs and huts
  • Provide evacuation support
  • Interpreting the use of drawings and specifications
  • Laying pavements, kerbs and driveways
  • Removing drainage and pipework systems
  • Operating plant machinery, such as excavators and dumper trucks
  • Preparing the ground/foundations to allow construction to begin
  • Redirecting waterways and connecting pipes with existing pipework

You will be enroled onto an 8-week pre-apprenticeship at CETC.  The first 4 weeks you will attend the training centre to gain your CSCS card, a Brickwork Level 1 Certificate and undertake H&S training to be site-ready. The 2nd part of the pre-apprenticeship, you will work on-site on a paid sponsorship to ensure you are ready to progress onto the full 18-month apprenticeship and be awarded a contract of employment with Farncombe Construction and undertake the Groundworks Level 2 apprenticeship programme at CETC campus. 

*We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and successful appointment to this role will depend on the results of relevant checks*.

Where you’ll work

Various locations around Hampshire, Surrey & Berkshire
Office Location: Bowenhurst lane
Farnham
Surrey
GU10 5RP

Training

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

College or training organisation

FAREHAM 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

Qualification/s to be obtained:

  • Level 2 Groundworks
  • Functional Skills maths Level 1/D grade
  • Functional Skills English Level 1/D grade

The training will be delivered by the South Hampshire College Group.   Your training will be delivered Block Release, and you will attend CETC campus in Lee on Solent, Hampshire. Once enrolled onto the apprenticeship attendance will be a block of 12 weeks, Monday to Friday college attendance.  After the 12 week period you will be mainly working onsite and be required to attend CETC 1 day per month.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (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

  • Attention to detail
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Groundworks is a physically demanding industry requiring workers to be physically able to be providing manual work. You will also be required to work in all weathers and seasons. Farncombe Construction will support with travel and associated costs if required, so please don’t let this put you off applying. You will need to be able to travel to Lee on Solent CETC training centre for the block weeks of learning. There is a train station close to Fareham College main campus and a courtesy shuttle bus is available direct to the CETC centre.

About this company

Farncombe Construction has been delivering industry-leading Groundworks, External Works and Civil Engineering projects for almost 30 years. Our broad range of skills and expertise means we can be the driving force throughout entire projects, from the commencement of substructures through to the completion of external works. With an office located in Crondall, Farnham close to junction 5 of the M3, we cover an area of approximately 40 miles radius.

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

After this apprenticeship

There will be the opportunity for a full-time permanent position following successful completion of all training. Farncombe are committed to looking after their people and many staff members stay with the company for decades. If you show the right characteristics, Farncombe Construction will support you to progress.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FAREHAM COLLEGE

Rachel Farncombe-Smith

rachel@farncombeconstruction.co.uk

01252 851969

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314065.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 31 July 2025

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