Groundworker
Level 2 · IntermediateConstruction and the built environment 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Groundworker apprenticeship at Level 2 trains you in the essential civil engineering and construction skills that underpin every building project - from foundations and drainage to roads and kerbing. You will work on construction sites using hand tools, powered equipment, and plant, preparing the ground before other trades can begin. It is a practical, outdoor career that leads to specialist roles in civil engineering, utilities, and site management.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Excavation, compaction, and ground preparation techniques
Drainage installation - pipes, manholes, and gullies
Concrete mixing, placing, and finishing
Road and footpath construction - sub-base, kerbs, and surfacing
Reading and following construction drawings and specifications
Safe use of hand tools, vibrating plates, and small plant
Construction site health, safety, and COSHH awareness
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Excavate trenches for foundations, drainage, and utilities
Lay and joint drainage pipes to falls and levels
Pour, compact, and finish concrete slabs and bases
Set out and lay kerbs, block paving, and edgings
Erect and work within site safety barriers and exclusion zones
Backfill and compact excavations to specification
Support plant operators and follow banksman duties on site
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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