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Groundworker Apprentice
O'BRIEN CONTRACTORS LTD
Leamington Spa (CV32 7JT)
Closes in 22 days (Friday 23 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Summary
A great opportunity to work for an established construction company with over 60 years' experience within the industry. You will work under the direction and guidance of an experienced supervisor, getting involved in a range of construction projects from start to finish.
Wage: £18,720 to £29,741.40, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage: Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay may be negotiated and may rise after successful completion of probationary period or other review.
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
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.
Duties will include:
- Installation, maintenance and removal of temporary safety barriers, including any signage and/ or lighting.
- Installation of foul and surface water drainage systems.
- Reinstating ground conditions in a range of materials to include grass, concrete and block.
- Lay and finish concrete slabs in accordance with working instructions.
- Operate tools, equipment and machinery in a safe manner.
- Attend college on a day or block release basis, and undertake any additional training as requested.
- Take part in the apprentice review process.
- Follow health & safety policy and procedures, including the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) where needed.
- Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, customers and managers.
- Undertake other duties as may reasonably be required and which are commensurate with the post-holder’s skills and experience.
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Where you'll work
MANOR COTTAGE
CHURCH LANE
CUBBINGTON
LEAMINGTON SPA
CV32 7JT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: WALSALL COLLEGE
Training course: Groundworker (level 2)
What you'll learn
- 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
When applying for this role, you will be undertaking a Level 2 Groundworker Qualification
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This will be taught in two-week block release every two to three months at Construction College Midlands based in Kings Norton Birmingham
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
- GCSE in: English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Due to the nature of the work and with our sites being located across the Midlands, you will need to hold a driving licence and be able to get yourself to work.
About this employer
Based in Cubbington near Leamington Spa, we have operated in the development and construction industry since 1958. Founded by Tom O’Brien, the company is now in the hands of a board of directors headed by Peter O’Brien. Throughout our history we’ve taken advantage of emerging technological advances to build on our extensive experience and provide a vast portfolio of quality services to clients in the civil engineering, construction, and sports sectors.
With a turnover in the region of £35 million and individual contract values up to £15 million, we have seen considerable growth in recent years. This follows a successful diversification programme and drive to employ, retain and develop the best talent in the industry.
Our expertise and track record have seen us trusted by JLR, Aston Villa FC and universities across the UK to deliver a range of projects across multiple sectors.
Find out more about our portfolio work on our projects page. https://obriencontractors.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). There is a potential full-time position offered to the right candidate
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WALSALL COLLEGE
Sam Loverock
sloverock@walsallcollege.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000052941.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Friday 23 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
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