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.
Course Content
What Modules will you Study?
• Principles of Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental requirements
• Awareness of environmental and health hazards
• Principles of Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Modern and traditional construction methods
• Use of plant and machinery
• Gauge and mix mortars and concrete
• Principles of internal/external drainage and ducting systems
• Measuring, marking, cutting and installing geo membranes to stabilise soil
• Set out and lay flags, paviours and edging to paths, driveways and other areas
How long is the course?
This apprenticeship will typically take 18 months to complete.
Where will I learn?
Channelside Campus
How much will this course cost?
Please refer to the College fees policy, for more information please contact Student.Services@furness.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
What are the entry requirements?
Individual employers will set the recruitment and selection criteria for their Apprenticeships.
Apprentices aged 16-18:
• No GCSE Maths/English at grade 3–1 (or equivalent): must complete Level 1 Maths and English and work towards L2 once completed (if sufficient time remains)
• GCSE Maths/English at grade 3–1, will work towards L2
• GCSE 9-4 will be exempt
If aged 19+, you and your employer can decide whether to complete Maths and English qualifications
Progression
What opportunities will this lead to?
Completing a Level 2 Groundworker apprenticeship opens up a variety of career opportunities including:
• Groundwork Operatives
• Concrete workers
• Highway Maintenance Operatives
• General Site Operatives
• Technical Support