Groundworker Apprenticeship
Lee Contracting Ltd
Chester (CH3 7HW)
Closes on Friday 1 May 2026
Posted on 6 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you ready to start a career in construction? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join our team as a Groundworker Apprentice. Gain valuable hands-on experience while working towards your Level 2 Groundworker qualification.
- Wage
-
£16,489.20 to £26,666.64, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Groundworker (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday
7.30am- 4.30pm
42 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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
You’ll be involved in real projects from day one, assisting with:
- Site preparation and setting out
- Installing drainage and ducting
- Concreting foundations, bases and slabs
- Kerbing, edging and paving works
- Using hand tools and basic plant safely
- Maintaining a clean, safe and organised work area
- Following health and safety procedures at all times
You will be supported and supervised as you develop skills and confidence on site.
Where you'll work
Lee Contracting Ltd
Chester
CH3 7HW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WARRINGTON & VALE ROYAL 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 apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with block-release college attendance, consisting of 4 days at college every 4 weeks, enabling you to earn while gaining valuable, industry-relevant skills.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4 -5)
- Maths (grade 4 -5)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Willingness to work outdoors
- Excellent time keeping
Other requirements
This role will require a strong work ethic and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Travel to different sites is required as part of the apprenticeship, and transportation may be needed to get to various sites within the Northwest area. A full UK driving license (or in the process of obtaining one) would be an advantage.
About this employer
At Lee Contracting, we’re a family-run business with over 20 years of experience in groundworks, civil engineering and demolition. We take pride in doing things the right way and looking after our people. When you join our team, you’re not just a number, you become part of a close-knit crew that supports each other and takes pride in their work.
We work on a variety of real construction projects, using modern equipment and up-to-date methods, and we make sure safety is always a top priority. We believe in helping young people learn, grow and build confidence, which is why we invest time in training and developing our apprentices. Many of our team have grown their careers with us, and we’re proud to offer a supportive environment where you can learn a trade and build a future.
After this apprenticeship
Once you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll have the chance to stay with us and kickstart your career as a Groundworker. As you gain experience, you could progress to Skilled Groundworker, Lead Hand, or even Supervisor, taking on more responsibility and bigger projects. We’ll support you with extra training, including plant tickets and advanced qualifications, so you can keep learning, earn more, and build a long-term career with us.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WARRINGTON & VALE ROYAL COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012057.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 1 May 2026