Level 2 Apprentice Groundworker (Oxford)

SOUTHEAST CENTRE FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT LTD

Oxford (OX4 4GB)

Closes in 11 days (Wednesday 30 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 17 September 2026


Summary

  • Apprentice groundworker for a prestigious new project at the Oxford Science Park
  • Working with the civil engineering contractor on a range of ground working activities
Wage

£16,224 to £25,775.88, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

A travel Bursary is available to help the apprentice to get to and from work. Value £25/week.

Training course
Groundworker (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 07.30 - 17.30, summertime hours. Monday - Friday, 08.00 - 16.30, wintertime hours. At this time, no evenings or weekends expected.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 12 October 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

  • Installation of underground ducts, chambers and drainage
  • Installation of soils and fill materials
  • Construction of concrete slabs and footings
  • Installation of mature trees and planting

Where you'll work

The Hinshelwood Building
Edmund Halley Road
Oxford
OX4 4GB

Training

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

Training provider

MULTI TRADES TRAINING LTD

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

  • Level 2 Groundwork Apprenticeship Standard
  • If required Level 2 Functional Skills in maths or English
  • 1 day a week virtual classroom
  • Approx every 6 weeks mobile classroom will visit site for a full day of 1 to 1 practical work with tutor

More training information

This training provider visits site to conduct practical work. All theory is taught on line once a week

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths, English, Science (grade 4 to 9)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

This is a physically demanding role, but all heavy lifting will be aided by machinery. Expect to be working outdoors all the time in various weather conditions.

About this employer

CoTrain is a program under SECBE . As a shared apprenticeship scheme and a Flexible Job Apprenticeship Agency partly funded by CITB to provide a route into industry for anyone wishing to complete an apprenticeship. We employ and mentor the apprentice and place them with our construction partners and colleges to gain the correct experience & skills to complete their qualifications.

http://www.cotrain.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Once the apprenticeship has been completed, the apprentice can expect to work full-time as an experienced groundworker. They may also look at opportunities to progress as a setting out engineer or a Civil Engineering Management qualification.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTHEAST CENTRE FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT LTD

Mark Pope

mark@secbe.org.uk

+447483172916

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053975.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Wednesday 30 September 2026 at 11:59pm)