Apprentice Plant Operator

Summary

Start your career with HBP Cumbria as a Construction Plant Apprentice. Gain hands-on experience, earn while you learn, and achieve industry-recognised qualifications. Join a trusted company offering expert training, career growth, and real opportunities in the construction industry.

Wage

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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On completion of apprenticeship employee will be put a health and safety bonus scheme of £1.50 per hour.

Training course

Construction plant operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday. 8 hrs per day. 8am – 4.30 pm (30 min unpaid lunch break).

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 11 August 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

Plant Operatives check, prepare, maintain & operate several machines that are used on construction sites, such as:

360 excavators to dig or shape the ground to form embankments or trenches for underground pipes
Dumper to transport earth across a site and tip it where required
Ride-on-Roller to compact materials such as earth and tarmac for roads, paths etc.
Forklift to lift and transport construction materials

They provide signals to other operators & marshal vehicles on site.

Where you'll work

MEETING INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PA
BARROW-IN-FURNESS
CUMBRIA
ENGLAND
LA14 4TL

Training

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

College or training organisation

CONSTRUCTION AND PLANT ASSESSMENTS LTD

Your training course

Construction plant operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Extract information from a variety of sources for basic servicing, checks, operational and maintenance requirements.
Select and use tools, lubricants and equipment required for operator-level maintenance, checks, servicing and configuration requirements.
Identify and apply information from a range of sources so that the machine is set for the work and for the work to be carried out.
Identify and source materials, equipment and consumables for operational requirements.
Prepare and set the machine for travelling purposes.
Travel the machine across a range of ground, surfaces and in a range of operational environments and conditions inc. where relevant on inclines, and on and from a transporter.
Plan, configure and set the machine to carry out the required work activity.
Operate the machine in accordance with given instructions for excavating, compacting, loading, lifting, moving, discharging and placing activities relevant to the machine being used.
Identify, use and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supporting staff and supervisors to carry out the work safely and efficiently.
Carry out checks (through self and with others) that the work being carried out meets the job requirements and timescales.
Position, configure and shut down the machine when work activities cease and isolate and secure the machine and relevant equipment and structures to prevent unauthorised use or access.
Marshall the movements of a range of plant and delivery vehicles for positioning and safe movement requirements.
Assist in the setting up, configuring and positioning of plant to carry out specific work functions.
Assist in preparing and securing a transporter and the items of plant during the loading and unloading activity for transportation purposes.
Work in accordance with health, safety, welfare and environmental requirements, evaluate the working area and activity according to static and dynamic risk assessments and method statements, and report on unsafe situations following organisational procedures.
Extract information from a variety of sources for basic servicing, checks, operational and maintenance requirements.
Select and use tools, lubricants and equipment required for operator-level maintenance, checks, servicing and configuration requirements.
Identify and apply information from a range of sources so that the machine is set for the work and for the work to be carried out.
Identify and source materials, equipment and consumables for operational requirements.
Prepare and set the machine for travelling purposes.
Travel the machine across a range of ground, surfaces and in a range of operational environments and conditions inc. where relevant on inclines, and on and from a transporter.
Plan, configure and set the machine to carry out the required work activity.
Operate the machine in accordance with given instructions for excavating, compacting, loading, lifting, moving, discharging and placing activities relevant to the machine being used.
Identify, use and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supporting staff and supervisors to carry out the work safely and efficiently.
Carry out checks (through self and with others) that the work being carried out meets the job requirements and timescales.
Position, configure and shut down the machine when work activities cease and isolate and secure the machine and relevant equipment and structures to prevent unauthorised use or access.
Marshall the movements of a range of plant and delivery vehicles for positioning and safe movement requirements.
Assist in the setting up, configuring and positioning of plant to carry out specific work functions.
Assist in preparing and securing a transporter and the items of plant during the loading and unloading activity for transportation purposes.
Work in accordance with health, safety, welfare and environmental requirements, evaluate the working area and activity according to static and dynamic risk assessments and method statements, and report on unsafe situations following organisational procedures.

Your training plan

You will achieve the Level 2 Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship Standard by attending CP Assessments Training Centre’s in Doncaster to undertake 7 block-release training sessions (5 days), every 8-12 weeks.

The successful candidate will work towards their Functional Skills in both Maths and English if they have not achieved this prior or have an equivalent.

Apprentices will also get an Apprentice CSCS card, which can be upgraded on completion of the apprenticeship.

Requirements

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

Communication skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Physical fitness

Other requirements

This is a manual role that requires a good level of physical fitness. You will be working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and will need to commute to sites within the local area.

About this company

HBP Ltd is a family-owned business based in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, with over 40 years of experience in the groundwork and civil engineering industry. The company delivers reliable, high-quality services across a range of construction and infrastructure projects.

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

After this apprenticeship

This is a fantastic opportunity for the successful candidate to start their career with a highly reputable and well-established company.

Progression within the organisation with more responsibility is expected on successful completion of the apprenticeship.

In time, you may wish to undertake further qualifications such as Occupational Work Supervision, which can be studied at Level 3.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CONSTRUCTION AND PLANT ASSESSMENTS LTD

Tracey Rowley

tracey.rowley@cpassessments.co.uk

01709868181

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000329057.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Wednesday 23 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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