Apprentice Ground Engineer
STRUCTURAL SOILS LIMITED
Bristol, Castleford, Hemel Hempstead
Closes in 28 days (Friday 5 June 2026)
Posted on 8 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Do you want to build a career that combines fieldwork, geology & engineering to shape the future of site development? You will be joining a knowledgeable, talented & friendly team leading ground investigation company & be trained to assist, manage & lead a variety of exciting projects in combination with your studies.
- Wage
-
£21,600 a year
- Training course
- Geoscientist (integrated degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday. Standard office hours 08:45 - 17:15 with 0.5 hr lunch break. However, daily routine will vary to meet the needs of site work/the business and study requirements.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
5 years
- Positions available
-
3
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
- Conduct research - investigate geology, hydrogeology, landfills, borehole records, coal records and other information relevant to project proposals
- Design site investigations - use your research to develop conceptual site models and preliminary risk assessments and select the best method of site investigation and analysis
- Develop confidence in SHEQ – learn how to apply safety, health, environment, and quality principles to ground investigation projects
- Get hands-on field experience - work on real projects involving borehole drilling, trial pitting, in-situ testing, geophysical logging and other investigation techniques
- Analyse & report findings - Learn how to schedule geotechnical and geoenvironmental testing and produce high-quality reports
- Manage & lead projects - Build your expertise to plan, organise, and supervise investigations across the UK
- Ongoing learning & mentorship - Benefit from regular technical training sessions and mentor support to track your progress
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:
- The Old School, Stillhouse Lane, Bristol, BS3 4EB
- The Potteries, Pottery Street, Castleford, WF10 1NJ
- 18 Frogmore Road Industrial Estate, Frogmore Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9RT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF KEELE
Training course
Geoscientist (integrated degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Integrate and critically evaluate information from different sources to test findings and hypotheses.
- Consider, appraise and inform ground related issues to multidisciplinary teams.
- Define complex geoscience related problems, a strategy to understand the problem and evaluate possible solutions. For example: resource scarcity, foundations, sustainability energy supply.
- Test geological models to inform and design investigations.
- Plan, conduct and present independent geoscientific projects with appropriate guidance.
- Consider inconsistencies and uncertainty and gaps in data when developing geological models.
- Apply geoscientific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
- Conduct and supervise fieldwork, geoscience mapping and laboratory investigations as appropriate and in accordance with safe working practices and legal requirements.
- Apply appropriate numerical, statistical, geostatistical and qualitative techniques in the evaluation of data and information.
- Utilise digital technologies, instrumentation and remote sensing for the collection, analysis and modelling of data.
- Communicate relevant geoscience insights to external stakeholders using different formats and media.
- Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and develop personal development goals.
- Plan and organise own workload and contribute to the completion of geoscientific projects.
- Collaborate with stakeholders online, remotely and in person, using appropriate techniques.
- Carry out geoscientific site surveys independently across a range of environments.
- Keep up to date with advances in working practices and emerging technologies and disseminate learning across the organisation.
- Prepare geoscience risk assessments in accordance with associated legislation for health, safety and wellbeing.
- Apply equality, diversity and inclusivity good practice to inform decision making.
- Produce recommendations that align to client requirements and organisational objectives that demonstrate the application of ethical, environmental sustainability and compliance with relevant legislation.
- Integrate and critically evaluate information from different sources to test findings and hypotheses.
- Consider, appraise and inform ground related issues to multidisciplinary teams.
- Define complex geoscience related problems, a strategy to understand the problem and evaluate possible solutions. For example: resource scarcity, foundations, sustainability energy supply.
- Test geological models to inform and design investigations.
- Plan, conduct and present independent geoscientific projects with appropriate guidance.
- Consider inconsistencies and uncertainty and gaps in data when developing geological models.
- Apply geoscientific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
- Conduct and supervise fieldwork, geoscience mapping and laboratory investigations as appropriate and in accordance with safe working practices and legal requirements.
- Apply appropriate numerical, statistical, geostatistical and qualitative techniques in the evaluation of data and information.
- Utilise digital technologies, instrumentation and remote sensing for the collection, analysis and modelling of data.
- Communicate relevant geoscience insights to external stakeholders using different formats and media.
- Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and develop personal development goals.
- Plan and organise own workload and contribute to the completion of geoscientific projects.
- Collaborate with stakeholders online, remotely and in person, using appropriate techniques.
- Carry out geoscientific site surveys independently across a range of environments.
- Keep up to date with advances in working practices and emerging technologies and disseminate learning across the organisation.
- Prepare geoscience risk assessments in accordance with associated legislation for health, safety and wellbeing.
- Apply equality, diversity and inclusivity good practice to inform decision making.
- Produce recommendations that align to client requirements and organisational objectives that demonstrate the application of ethical, environmental sustainability and compliance with relevant legislation.
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
A Level in:
BTEC in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Love of the outdoors
- Practical
Other requirements
- The apprenticeship will involve site/field & office-based work
- Site work can involve a variety of development/construction sites, travel around the UK & extended periods working away
- A valid full manual UK driving licence is essential
- Unfortunately we are unable to provide visa sponsorship
- Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
About this employer
Since its establishment in 1964, Structural Soils has evolved into an award-winning national, multidisciplinary, integrated geotechnical and geoenvironmental site investigation company. Owing to our astute personnel and range of equipment, we have the capability and capacity to undertake contracts of any size and scope and in any location. We regularly work on projects across the UK, Europe and internationally, serviced by our support staff working from offices in Bristol, Castleford, Coventry, Glasgow, Hemel Hempstead, Wigan, Plymouth and Tonbridge.
Structural Soils works with a vast number of clients from wide-ranging industries, both private and public. A client may seek advice on house subsidence, or a multinational energy company may require our help in constructing power stations. Our industry-renowned expert staff offer technical, logistical and contractual advice on all aspects of ground investigations. Our technical staff include civil engineers, geologists, engineering geologists, chemists and environmental scientists. Structural Soils is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors
http://www.soils.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 31 days annual leave (incl Bank Holidays) life insurance, pension scheme, free private GP service, option to buy additional holidays, health cash plan, discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, payment of professional membership
After this apprenticeship
- This apprenticeship aligns with the Geological Society of London for Fellow and Science Council for Registered Scientist (RSci). We have an established chartership scheme and support staff looking to achieve chartered status with the Geological Society
- On completion of your apprenticeship you will not only hold a degree in Geoscience and (for the right candidate) an offer of permanent employment, but you’ll also have 5 years of practical on the job training and experience, having built a strong foundation for a career in ground investigation
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
STRUCTURAL SOILS LIMITED
Mike Addinall
Mike.Addinall@soils.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030567.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Friday 5 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.