Groundworker Level 2 Apprenticeship working with Mackley Construction Ltd

Summary

An exciting opportunity to join a market-leading civil engineering and groundworks company, currently looking for apprentices to join their groundworks division. You’ll receive fully funded training through CETC, the Civil Engineering Training Centre at South Hampshire College Group.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Apprenticeship pay scheme; U18s - £7.55 per hour, 18-20 - £10 per hour, 21+ - £12.21 The salary is under a pay review and there will be a higher onsite rate.

Training course

Groundworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day. Shift pattern to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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

As an apprentice groundworker you will:

Clear and tidy the construction site
Dig trenches for foundations
Setting up sites, including putting up barriers, safety signs and huts
Provide evacuation support
Interpreting the use of drawings and specifications
Laying pavements, kerbs and driveways
Removing drainage and pipework systems
Operating plant machinery, such as excavators and dumper trucks
Preparing the ground/foundations to allow construction to begin
Redirecting waterways and connecting pipes with existing pipework

You will be enroled onto an 8-week pre-apprenticeship at CETC. The first 4 weeks you will attend the training centre to gain your CSCS card, a Brickwork Level 1 Certificate and undertake H&S training to be site-ready. The 2nd part of the pre-apprenticeship, you will work on-site on a paid sponsorship to ensure you are ready to progress onto the full 18-month apprenticeship and be awarded a contract of employment with Mackley Construction Ltd and undertake the Groundworks Level 2 apprenticeship programme at CETC campus.

*We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and successful appointment to this role will depend on the results of relevant checks*.

Where you'll work

Areas of working will be Havant and surrounding areas of Hampshire
We also work in and around Bournemouth and Southampton areas.
Works office is based in West Sussex
BN5 9XQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

FAREHAM COLLEGE

Your 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

Your training plan

Qualification/s to be obtained:

Level 2 Groundworks
Functional Skills maths Level 1/D grade
Functional Skills English Level 1/D grade

The training will be delivered by the South Hampshire College Group. Your training will be delivered Block Release, and you will attend CETC campus in Lee on Solent, Hampshire. Once enrolled onto the apprenticeship attendance will be a block of 12 weeks, Monday to Friday college attendance. After the 12 week period you will be mainly working onsite and be required to attend CETC 1 day per month.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4/C)
Maths (grade 4/C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Groundworks is a physically demanding industry requiring workers to be physically able to be providing manual work. You will also be required to work in all weathers and seasons. Preferably with a driving licence so you can drive to site. You will need to be able to travel to Lee on Solent CETC training centre for the block weeks of learning. There is a train station close to Fareham College main campus and a courtesy shuttle bus is available direct to the CETC centre. Areas of work whilst on apprenticeship will be PO6, PO9, PO10, PO11

About this company

For 87 years, Mackley was a family-run company. We have maintained this valuable mentality even after our acquisition by Van Oord, who also share the family-run ethos. Mackley is still very much a community which is demonstrated by the number of our long-standing members of staff and the generations of families we have working for us. Our future relies on our team skills and values and we are therefore committed to developing our own talent, welcoming new resources and continuing as a people centred company.

https://mackley.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There will be the opportunity for a full-time permanent position following successful completion of all training. Mackley Construction are committed to looking after their people and many staff members stay with the company for decades. If you show the right characteristics, Mackley Construction will support you to progress.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

FAREHAM COLLEGE

Lucy Brown

lucy.brown@mackley.co.uk

01273492212

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000319669.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 31 July 2025

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