Groundworker Apprentice

GEORGE COX & SONS LTD

BOLTON, Lancashire, Rochdale, Stockport

Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026

Posted on 20 February 2026

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Summary

Apprentices will be provided with the opportunity to combine their college training with enrolment on our internal skills training programme which gives practical training and experience in the key skills required to become a successful groundworker. On completion their is an opportunity to join the Company as a permanent employee.

Wage

£18,718 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Groundworker (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 07:30 - 16:00 (inclusive of unpaid breaks). Friday, 07:30 - 15:00 (inclusive of unpaid breaks).

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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

Apprentices will join our existing team of operational staff based on construction sites contributing to the construction of projects.

Tasks will include:

  • Assisting lead tradesmen
  • Paving works
  • Kerbing
  • Laying Tarmac
  • Drainage works
  • Keeping the site clean and tidy
  • All other aspects of road construction and general civil engineering works

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:

  • HALL LANE WORKS, HALL LANE, FARNWORTH, BOLTON, BL4 7QF
  • Common Edge Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 5FH
  • Globe House Globe Park, Moss Bridge Road, Rochdale, OL16 5EB
  • Alvanley Industrial Estate, Stockport Road East, Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 2DJ

Training

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

Training provider

HOPWOOD HALL COLLEGE

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

Training schedule

  • We are working with a number of colleges across the north-west of England to secure places on apprentice approved training programmes
  • Apprentices will attend college on day release or block release at either Salford College, Stockport College, Hopwood Hall College or Preston College to acheive an NVQ Level 2 Groundworker qualification
  • The apprentice will also be enrolled on our own internal skill training programme which will provide the apprentice with evidence of practical skills which they have learnt in the workplace and will be invaluable to employers

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • english (grade 4)
  • mathematics (grade 4)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • Physical work sometimes in inclement weather
  • Requirement to wear PPE at all times

About this employer

George Cox and Sons Ltd. are a civil engineering and highway contractor working across the north-west on a number of local authority, long term, framework contracts. As a result of an increase in works, George Cox are looking to increase their workforce and seeking to train and develop apprentices.

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

After this apprenticeship

  • Strong candidates will be given the opportunity to become permanent employees

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

GEORGE COX & SONS LTD

Nicola Shewring

nicola.shewring@gcox.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017093.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026