Plant Operative Apprenticeship
HOLCIM UK LIMITED
Greater Manchester, Sheffield
Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026
Posted on 1 December 2025
Contents
Summary
This is a fantastic opportunity to join an essential part of our business responsible for producing high-quality asphalt products for roads, infrastructure and construction projects.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
- Training course
- Material processing plant operator (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, shifts, may work evenings and weekends.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
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
You’ll be based on-site, working alongside experienced plant operators and engineers who will support you as you learn to operate both mobile and static plant safely and efficiently.
You’ll gain experience processing raw materials, producing asphalt to specification and maintaining specialist plant and equipment. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys hands-on work, problem-solving, and understanding how complex machinery operates in real-world conditions.
You’ll spend most of your time learning on the job, taking part in daily tasks and gradually building the confidence to operate plant independently, monitor product quality, conduct inspections, and follow safe operating procedures.
This role is perfect for someone who enjoys practical work, being outdoors, working in a team and seeing a project come together from start to finish.
Your curiosity, willingness to get involved and ability to stay focused will help you progress quickly.
You will gain real industry experience, a recognised qualification and the chance to build a long-term career in a growing sector.
You’ll learn to operate plant safely in industrial environments, monitor and maintain production quality, work with colleagues effectively, and contribute to the team’s operational success.
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Chaddock Lane, Astley, Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, M29 7JU
- Unit 3, Europa Way, Sheffield, S9 1TQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MINERAL PRODUCTS QUALIFICATIONS COUNCIL
Training course
Material processing plant operator (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Conduct pre-start checks of plant equipment.
- Conduct post operation checks of plant equipment.
- Identify and report environmental issues of work undertaken.
- Conduct maintenance activities such as planned, preventative, predictive or reactive.
- Use materials, fluids or lubricants required for operation and maintenance.
- Monitor stock levels.
- Monitor end product quality and report issues.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Comply with health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. Comply with safe systems of work.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Lock off and isolate equipment or systems using Lockout, Tag out, Try out (LOTOTO) procedures.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Communicate with others verbally for example colleagues and stakeholders.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, risk assessments, equipment service records, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, checklists, pre-start and post operation check records, waste records.
- Identify and take action when observing unsafe practice.
- Carry out risk assessments.
- Applies team working principles.
- Follow handover procedures.
- Use mobile plant equipment to transport materials identified for production.
- Operate mobile plant.
- Select and checks mobile equipment or attachment.
- Identify and report issues with raw materials such as contamination.
- Process products.
- Operate static plant to produce a manufactured product.
- Complete inspection of raw materials.
- Monitor static plant processing and adjust tolerances.
- Follow emergency stop procedures.
- Calibrate equipment prior to use.
- Check and confirm raw materials into the correct location.
- Conduct pre-start checks of plant equipment.
- Conduct post operation checks of plant equipment.
- Identify and report environmental issues of work undertaken.
- Conduct maintenance activities such as planned, preventative, predictive or reactive.
- Use materials, fluids or lubricants required for operation and maintenance.
- Monitor stock levels.
- Monitor end product quality and report issues.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Comply with health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. Comply with safe systems of work.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Lock off and isolate equipment or systems using Lockout, Tag out, Try out (LOTOTO) procedures.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Communicate with others verbally for example colleagues and stakeholders.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, risk assessments, equipment service records, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, checklists, pre-start and post operation check records, waste records.
- Identify and take action when observing unsafe practice.
- Carry out risk assessments.
- Applies team working principles.
- Follow handover procedures.
Training schedule
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
You are someone who enjoys practical work and is interested in understanding how machinery and production processes work. You are naturally curious and like asking questions so you can learn and improve. You feel confident following clear processes and instructions, especially when it comes to safety, and you understand the importance of keeping yourself and others safe at work. Most importantly, you are motivated, eager to learn and ready to build a long-term career.
About this employer
We are leaders in supplying innovative, sustainable building solutions to the UK construction industry; building progress for people and the planet.
Since 1858, we’ve helped shape the UK; powering the construction of homes and hospitals, roads and railways, schools and cities alike.
Our mission is to make sustainable construction a reality, through purposeful action that tackles real carbon and climate challenges. We are dedicated to helping Britain grow and thrive - by doing the right thing, doing it together, and making a difference.
https://careers.holcim.co.uk/pages/early-careers (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
Opportunities for career progression both at home and abroad.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MINERAL PRODUCTS QUALIFICATIONS COUNCIL
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000003163.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026
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