Apprentice Groundworker
OLIVER CONNELL & SON LTD
Bristol (BS41 9FS)
Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 5 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Kickstart your career in construction as a Groundworks Apprentice! Gain hands‑on experience on live sites, learning from skilled professionals as you help turn plans into real structures. This role is ideal for practical learners who enjoy problem‑solving, working outdoors, and seeing the impact of their work every single day.
- Wage
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£28,808 a year
- Training course
- Groundworker (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday – 8am to 5pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Thursday 19 February 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
As a Groundworks Apprentice, you will be involved in the essential first stages of construction projects, preparing sites, laying foundations, installing drainage, concreting, and supporting a variety of civil engineering activities. You’ll be working alongside experienced teams, learning the practical skills and safety procedures required to build a successful future in the industry.
Daily duties to include:
- Assist with setting out and surveying on civil engineering and infrastructure projects.
- Learn how to read technical drawings and use specialist equipment (like GPS and total stations).
- Help manage subcontractors and monitor site activity.
- Support health, safety, and environmental best practices.
- Contribute to quality assurance, planning, and progress reporting.
- Material checks and deliveries.
- Supporting Temporary Works.
- Communicating with trades and subcontractors.
Where you'll work
Site Office
Colliters Way, Long Ashton
Bristol
BS41 9FS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
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
Apprentices will all go through the OC Way competency framework to help line the pathway of skills of progression aligned to the business strategy. All apprentices will be trained internally and externally and have a buddy system and full mentorship with a matching tradesperson.
If you have not achieved a 4/C in maths and/or English GCSE, you will be required to study these subjects at a Functional Skills level, alongside your apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3/D or above)
- Maths (grade 3/D or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Reliable and punctual
- Good manners
Other requirements
- A strong interest in construction and working outdoors
- Good level of physical fitness
- Willingness to learn and work in a team
- GCSEs in English and maths (grade 3/D or above preferred)
- CSCS Card (or willingness to obtain before starting on site)
About this employer
Established in 1974 by Oliver and Pat Connell, Oliver Connell & Son started out as a small family run groundworks company and has enjoyed consistent success over the years to flourish into one of the most established RC Frame and Groundworks subcontractors in London, turning over more than £150 million per annum.
At Oliver Connell & Son we know that our workforce is our biggest asset. Therefore health, safety and wellbeing of all our workforce is paramount to our success. Monitoring and Developing that Culture is essential to our development.
https://oliverconnell.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Working for a family run business that’s been established for over 50 years.
After this apprenticeship
- Further education and qualifications
- Career progression pathways
- Structured development plans
- Long term career
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011046.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 11:59pm)