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Course Overview

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. Groundworkers work for all types of construction companies from small subcontractors to large main contractors.

The course includes:

  • Drainage

  • Concrete

  • Levelling and setting out

  • Block paving

  • Kerbing

  • Brickwork

  • Excavation support

  • Working at height

  • Confined space operations

  • Small tools operation

  • Movement of plant

  • Manual handling.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours

  • Interpreting information

  • Risk assessments and method statements

  • Basic civil engineering methods

  • Construction elements 

  • Effective communication

  • Building information modelling (BIM)

  • Basic project management 

  • Site communication

  • Earthworks

  • Working area protection

  • Health and safety.


 

Those wanting to get into Construction and Built Environment  careers. It will suit those able to work outdoors on construction sites and are prepared to develop construction skills, safely utilising heavy equipment and manual labour.

Apprentices must work with respect for health and safety for self and colleagues. This offers a progression route into a civil engineering career pathway and other construction and built environment roles.

GCSE Maths and English Grads 3+ (or equivalent)

Regular assessment by:

  • Written and practical assessments

  • Verbal questioning and presentation

  • Multiple-choice testing

  • College and site-based activity journals

  • Evidence of work experience completed through OneFile

Construction site work preferred but not necessary

Civil Engineering Technician Level 3, other supervisory construction roles

 groundworker , flood defence worker, civil engineering technician, trainee civil engineer construction site labourer, bricklayer, hardscape worker, landscaper

Employers not paying the levy will get 100% funding if their apprentice is under the age of 25. If apprentice is age 25+ they will pay either a 5% (£450) co investment fee of the total £9,000 training cost or pay from their apprenticeship levy, or apply for a levy transfer.

No cost to the apprentice, employer should provide PPE

Block release  from late Spring 2026

Awarding Body:
CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)

Qualification:
Apprenticeship Standard

Curriculum Area:
Construction - Construction Skills

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