Groundworker Apprentice

V J DONEGAN & CO LTD

STOCKPORT (SK3 0WT)

Closes in 27 days (Monday 25 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 April 2026

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Summary

We are looking for an apprentice GCO who is interested in a career within the construction industry. Apprentices will gain an understanding of our works, with opportunity to practice and apply skills while progressing. Successful applicants will be provided extensive training and guidance to gain the required qualifications to progress.

Wage

£25,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Groundworker (level 2)
Hours
Monday- Friday 7am until 5pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

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

Candidates will be required to help in:

  • Practice and apply general operative/labourer skills on projects
  • Assist the foreman and gang in their operations on site
  • Take an interest in construction drawings, specifically those for their tasks to grasp an understanding
  • Assist the site engineer with other site duties
  • Moving materials around site (Physically and with the aid of machinery)
  • Sweeping of the road and pedestrian pathways to maintain a safe and tidy site
  • Cleaning of site cabins/mess room
  • Monitor site entrances/exits and aid delivery wagons and pedestrians or members of the public
  • Setup site fencing, signage and posters
  • Other general site operative tasks

Where you'll work

EUROPA WAY
STOCKPORT
SK3 0WT

Training

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

Training provider

SALFORD CITY 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

  • The successful apprentice will be required to attend City Skills College in Salford for 1 day per week, this is for the diploma element of the course and is imperative to the successful completion of the Level 2 Groundworker Apprenticeship qualification
  • You will be paid the standard hourly rate for the hours that you attend college

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade A* - F / 9 - 1)
  • Maths (grade A* - F / 9 - 1)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Full UK Driving Licence (grade Pass (Clean))

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness
  • Able to take instructions
  • Able to work safely
  • Timekeeping & Attendance
  • Willing and keen to learn
  • A clean UK driving licence (D)
  • Interest in Civil Engineering
  • Prior experience/skils (D)

Other requirements

A driving licence is desirable however we would consider applicants who are confident in using public transport as you will be required to travel to different sites.

About this employer

V J Donegan & Co. Ltd is a construction company specialising in civil and tunnel engineering, with most contracts being based around the North West/Greater Manchester area. The main activities of the company involve wastewater drainage schemes for public and private, local and water authority clients.

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

After this apprenticeship

  • Progression and support into the industry available upon completion of the Apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SALFORD CITY COLLEGE

Chanel Murphy

chanel.murphy@salfordcc.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028397.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Monday 25 May 2026 at 11:59pm)