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Apprentice Groundworker
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Build your future with one of the UK's leading civil engineering companies. Gain hands-on experience, recognised qualifications and build a long-term career as a Groundworker Apprentice with JN Bentley.
About the Role
JN Bentley is looking for motivated, hard-working individuals from Oxford and the surrounding areas to join our team as an Apprentice Groundworker. Working alongside experienced Groundworkers on major water industry projects, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience, industry-recognised qualifications and the opportunity to build a long-term career within a leading civil engineering company.
You will be assigned an experienced mentor and become part of an established groundworks gang, working on live construction sites while attending college to develop your technical knowledge and skills.
Key duties will include:
- Following all health and safety procedures and site rules
- Assisting with site preparation and construction activities
- Carrying out general labouring duties
- Learning excavation and reinstatement techniques
- Assisting with drainage and ducting installation
- Helping to lay, level and finish concrete for foundations and floors
- Supporting pipe-laying and deep drainage operations
- Keeping work areas clean, organised and safe
- Learning how to use construction tools and equipment correctly
- Working as part of a team to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
We're looking for enthusiastic individuals who enjoy practical, hands-on work and are keen to learn. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, reliability, good communication skills, attention to detail, problem-solving ability and the willingness to work as part of a team.
Things to Consider:
- A full driving licence is essential
- You must be able to travel to sites within approximately 30 miles of Milton Keynes
- You will need to attend day-release training at Milton Keynes College Groundworks Training Centre, Bleak Hall
- This role involves working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Construction work can be physically demanding and requires a commitment to safe working practices
Interested? Apply today! This vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Where you'll work
Oxford STW
Grenoble Road
Sandford on Thames
OX4 4GP
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
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Training provider
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
Training course
Groundworker (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
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
Training schedule
You'll work towards the Groundworker Apprenticeship Standard, combining hands-on site experience with day-release training at Milton Keynes College. You'll be supported by experienced mentors while gaining industry-recognised qualifications, including CSCS, Health & Safety, Working at Height, National Water Hygiene and Plant Skills Training.
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Throughout the apprenticeship, you'll develop practical skills in excavation, drainage, concreting, reinstatement, operating construction tools and equipment, interpreting site plans, and working safely and professionally on live construction projects.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- Maths (grade 9-4)
- English (grade 9-4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication
- Resilience
- Team Player
Other requirements
Salary & Benefits
Starting at £9.01 per hour, increasing to £9.57 per hour after 6 months, with further increases in line with age-related National Living Wage rates after 12 months.
Plus enjoy:
- Overtime opportunities
- (18+) Travel payments
- Holiday pay
- Pension scheme
- Excellent employee benefits package
- Earn a competitive salary while gaining valuable skills, qualifications and experience with JN Bentley.
JN Bentley is a leading civil engineering and construction company delivering major infrastructure projects across the UK. With over 2,500 employees and an annual turnover exceeding £500 million, we have built an excellent reputation through more than 50 years of industry experience. We are committed to investing in our people, developing talent and providing rewarding long-term careers.
http://www.mottmacbentley.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent position with JN Bentley, with progression opportunities including General Operative, Skilled Groundworker, Gang Lead and Site Supervisor. We are committed to developing our people and supporting long-term career growth.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
Sonia Harris
Apprenticeships@mkcollege.ac.uk
01908 637056
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048285.
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