Apprentice Operative - Contracting (Road Surfacing) - tarmac/TP/112/7332

TARMAC TRADING LIMITED

Chester Le Street (DH3 2ST)

Closes on Friday 27 February 2026

Posted on 12 January 2026

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Summary

At Tarmac, our Operatives are the heartbeat of our business. As an Apprentice Operative in road surfacing, you will be part of a professional road surfacing team, where you will gain hands-on experience working on projects ranging from major highways and motorways to airfields, car parks, and residential streets.

Wage

£20,580 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Road surfacing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, times to be confirmed.

45 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 3 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

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of road surfacing, construction materials, and processes. 
  • Develop skills in operating mobile plant equipment. 
  • Participate actively in safety briefings and risk assessments, suggesting ways to reduce safety risks. 
  • Display a proactive attitude towards health and safety, reporting near misses and unsafe behaviours. 
  • Liaise effectively with customers and the general public to maintain a high level of safety on site. 
  • Life on site! You will work both inside and outside, sometimes in a dusty or confined environment. However, your health and safety are our number one priority and full protective clothing is provided. Your colleagues are also there to help and look out for you, as safety is everyone’s responsibility.    

Where you'll work

Birtley
Chester Le Street
DH3 2ST

Training

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

Training provider

TARMAC TRADING LIMITED

Training course

Road surfacing operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Lay and compact road surfaces using all forms of asphalt and ancillary productssuch as bond coat and bituminous jointing compounds, in accordance with relevant specifications and industry best practise.
  • Prepare and operate large specialist resurfacing plant and machinery such as  planers to remove the existing surface, floating screed pavers laying asphalt, rollers, chippers, loading shovels and large hydraulic breakers.
  • Prepare and operate powered units and tools  such as disc cutters, breakers, floor-saws and compactor plates.
  • Carry out the excavation (planing) and reinstatement of the highway, install street ironworks.
  • Identify, locate and excavate around underground services to avoid strikes and loss of service.
  • Apply appropriate health, safety,  environmental and ecological procedures when working on the roads, including the movement, storage, lifting and handling of resources.
  • Plan, undertake and inspect work safely, efficiently and productively.
  • Read, interpret and work to drawings, specifications and highways information.
  • Work safely within temporary traffic management (utilising sterile safety zones, traffic lights, signage, cones and barriers) as required by legislation and industry standards to protect all parties whilst works are undertaken.
  • Communicate effectively using oral and written communication methods.
  • Work effectively within a team environment, cooperating and supporting team members when required.
  • Use own time effectively in order to consistently complete work on time to agreed programmes.

Training schedule

The Apprentice will need to travel to the National Skills and Safety Park in Macclesfield NG20 9JF. The course will be delivered in block realse, so accomadation and travel exspenses will be provdided.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Team working

About this employer

As the UK’s leading sustainable construction materials, road contracting and building products business, we’re a unique place to work in that we influence the future of the UK. It's something we’re extremely proud of and enjoy sharing that passion with colleagues who decide to join us, whatever your background. Our hugely diverse areas of work require a broad range of skillsets, learning styles and approaches to work. We really do have a role for anyone, whether you’re practically minded and suited to hands-on roles, or better placed leading on business strategy with a keen eye for data and trends. We’re looking for good people who share our values and want to make a difference, welcoming diversity of thought, experience and skillsets.

After this apprenticeship

Operative.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TARMAC TRADING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001626.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 27 February 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.