Apprentice Highways Operative

Summary

Gateshead Council has responsibility for public services and roads within Gateshead such as waste collection, road repairs and social care. Develop skills, knowledge, and experience in all aspects of highway construction, projects/schemes and maintenance including working on roads, footpaths, cycle ways and bridges including drainage and fencing.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Age related NMW after first 12 months

Training course

Groundworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 7.30am - 4.00pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

3

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

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 reinstatement 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

Where you'll work

Shearlegs Road
Gateshead
NE8 3EN

Training

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

College or training organisation

DERWENTSIDE 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

Level 2 Groundworker Apprenticeship
Derwentside College, Consett
Block Release

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English Language (grade 3-9 / D-A)
Maths (grade 3-9 / D-A)

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

Problem solving skills
Team working
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Outdoor working in all weathers.

About this company

Local Authority for Gateshead.

http://www.gateshead.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

28 days annual leave staff discounts on high street brands.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Potential future employment and further training to become a mason.

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