Apprentice Groundworkers (Recruiting in various locations)

HAB NORTHERN LTD

Recruiting in Various Locations (TS16 0QH)

Closes on Monday 27 April 2026

Posted on 5 March 2026

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Summary

As an Apprentice Groundworker, you will join an experienced team who will provide ongoing training and support. This hands-on role offers the chance to learn a skilled trade while gaining practical site experience, including digging trenches, installing drainage and laying concrete.

Wage

£15,704 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)

Apprentice minimum wage £7.55, rising to £8 per hour from April.

Target based increases during training.  

Training course
Groundworker (level 2)
Hours
Working hours will vary depending on site but will be 7.30am - 4.00pm. 30 minute lunch break, unpaid.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 3 August 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

8

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

  • Clearing and preparing the site
  • Removing vegetation, debris, and obstacles to create a clear workspace
  • Digging trenches
  • Excavating for foundations, drainage pipes, and utility lines
    Setting up temporary structures
  • Installing safety barriers, signage, and lighting
  • Constructing and dismantling temporary structures (formwork) to hold concrete in place
  • Installing drainage systems
  • Laying pipes, channels, and other components to manage water flow
  • Preparing footings
  • Ensuring a solid base for foundations by leveling and compacting the ground
  • Laying, leveling, and finishing concrete for foundations, floors, and other structures
  • Steel fixing - bending and installing steel reinforcement bars in concrete structures
  • Installing edging stones and channels for roads and pathways
  • Constructing roads and footpaths
  • Building and resurfacing roadways and walkways
  • Operating machinery
  • Using tools like plate compactors and small plant machinery
  • Maintaining tools and equipment
  • Ensuring tools and machinery are in good working order
  • Keeping the site clean, tidy, and safe
  • Adhering to health and safety regulations and company policies

Where you'll work

Eaglescliffe
Recruiting in Various Locations
Recruiting in Various Locations
TS16 0QH

Training

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

Training provider

DERWENTSIDE 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

Candidates will be required to attend Derwentside College for block release

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English & maths (grade 4-9(A*-C))

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
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • Good access to public transport or be able to drive and have access to transport to be able to get to the different sites in the Northeast
  • Alcohol & drugs testing will be carried out on within the workplace
  • Will need to understand and learn Health & Safety Skills and Awareness for Site Work
  • Attend various sites across the North East Region

About this employer

HAB Northern specialises in housing developments, managing every stage of projects from site remediation and road & sewer construction to substructures and external finishes. We have cultivated strong client relationships by consistently delivering high-quality work in a timely manner.

https://hewitsongroup.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • On successful completion of the apprenticeship there would be a permanent job within the organisation
  • The employer will invest in further training as and when required based on the performance of the candidates

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Derwentside College

apprenticeships@derwentside.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019315.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 27 April 2026