Groundworker Level 2 Apprenticeship working with Ward and Burke Construction in PO7 - PO11 areas
WARD + BURKE GROUP LIMITED
Bedhampton Havant (PO9 1NR)
Closes on Saturday 31 January 2026
Posted on 24 October 2025
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity to join a market-leading civil engineering and groundworks company, currently looking for apprentices to join their groundworks division. You’ll receive fully funded training through CETC, the Civil Engineering Training Centre at South Hampshire College Group. Work location PO7 - PO11 Havant & Denmead areas of Hampshire.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Apprenticeship pay scheme; U18s - £7.55 per hour, 18-20 - £10 per hour, 21+ - £12.21 The salary is under a pay review and there will be a higher onsite rate.
- Training course
- Groundworker (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, Shift pattern to be confirmed.
When attending CTEC you will be working 40 hours per week to complete your training. Onsite with your employer - your working hours will be expected to be 39-55 hours per week, depending on age.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Saturday 28 February 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
2
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 an apprentice groundworker you will:
- Clear and tidy the construction site
- Dig trenches for foundations
- Setting up sites, including putting up barriers, safety signs and huts
- Provide evacuation support
- Interpreting the use of drawings and specifications
- Laying pavements, kerbs and driveways
- Removing drainage and pipework systems
- Operating plant machinery, such as excavators and dumper trucks
- Preparing the ground/foundations to allow construction to begin
- Redirecting waterways and connecting pipes with existing pipework
You will be enroled onto an 8-week pre-apprenticeship at CETC. The first 4 weeks you will attend the training centre to gain your CSCS card, a Brickwork Level 1 Certificate and undertake H&S training to be site-ready. The 2nd part of the pre-apprenticeship, you will work on-site on a paid sponsorship to ensure you are ready to progress onto the full 18-month apprenticeship and be awarded a contract of employment with Ward & Burke and undertake the Groundworks Level 2 apprenticeship programme at CETC campus.
*We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and successful appointment to this role will depend on the results of relevant checks*.
Where you'll work
Bedhampton Pumping Station
Meyrick Road
Bedhampton Havant
PO9 1NR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
FAREHAM 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
Qualification/s to be obtained:
- Level 2 Groundworks
- Functional Skills Maths Level 1/D grade
- Functional Skills English Level 1/D grade
The training will be delivered by the South Hampshire College Group. Your training will be delivered Block Release, and you will attend CETC campus in Lee on Solent, Hampshire. Once enroled onto the apprenticeship, attendance will be a block of 12 weeks, Monday to Friday college attendance. After the 12-week period, you will be mainly working onsite and be required to attend CETC 1 day per month.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Groundworks is a physically demanding industry requiring workers to be physically able to be providing manual work. You will also be required to work in all weathers and seasons. Preferably with a driving licence, so you can drive to site. You will need to be able to travel to Lee on Solent CETC training centre for the block weeks of learning. There is a train station close to Fareham College main campus and a courtesy shuttle bus is available direct to the CETC centre. Areas of work whilst on apprenticeship will be PO6, PO9, PO10, PO11.
About this employer
Ward & Burke are committed to raising standards in construction by investing in their people and the way they work. They actively support new talent through apprenticeships, traineeships and partnerships with education institutions.
After this apprenticeship
There will be the opportunity for a full-time permanent position following successful completion of all training. Ward & Burke are committed to looking after their people and many staff members stay with the company for decades. If you show the right characteristics, Ward & Burke will support you to progress.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FAREHAM COLLEGE
Tamar Helen
tamar.helen@wardandburke.com
07743938052
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000347384.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 31 January 2026
Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.