Apprenticeship Groundworker Standard Level 2

This course meets the needs of students who have gained an apprenticeship position as a groundworker.  It allows them to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for their employment.

The course is delivered in conjunction with the apprentice’s employer and support is given to ensure specific training is available to meet all needs.

Groundworkers are the first trade onto a construction and civil engineering site and they work closely with supervisors and engineers in interpreting design specifications to prepare the site ready for the structural building works to take place.

They continue their work throughout the construction phase, working with all on-site construction trades, such as bricklayers and plant operatives, up to and including the final completion activities of the project. Their work includes setting out and preparing the sub-surfaces ready for the structural work to begin, installing drainage systems, concreting, constructing roads and pathways and carrying out the finished hard landscaping.

Groundworkers are able to transfer between heavy construction and civil engineering sites as well as house building, commercial building and general building sites. Groundworkers work for all types of construction companies from small sub-contractors to large main contractors.

You should have gained employment as an apprentice with a construction or building company. 

You also need a GCSE grade D/3 or above in English and Maths.

A Pass or above in a Construction-based course – or an equivalent qualification – is desirable, although not always required. 

You will undertake a basic skills test in literacy and numeracy.

A commitment to your own learning and performance in a working environment is essential.

Groundworkers have knowledge and understanding of:

• the principles of health, safety, welfare and environmentally responsible work practices and how they must be applied in relation to the work, to oneself and to others, including understanding the principles of risk assessments
• basic awareness of environmental and health hazards e.g. Japanese knotweed and asbestos. How to identify contaminated ground conditions and the procedures for working safely on it
• basic principles of Building Information Modelling (BIM), drawings, method statements, manufacturers’ information, work schedules and specifications
• technology including key factors and systems of work appropriate to different work environments and industry sectors (e.g. civil engineering, private residential, commercial)
• the differences between modern and traditional construction methods and the physical and environmental factors when undertaking construction work and their potential impacts
• the techniques to handle and move loads manually and with mechanical aids, including guiding the movement of articulated vehicles, plant and machinery using hand signals, hand signalling equipment and verbal/electronic communication equipment, and storing resources safely and securely
• why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking groundworks (e.g. personal protective equipment)
• the principles and methods of working within confined space
• erecting and dismantling access/working platforms
• establishing work area protection
• locating and excavating to expose buried utility services
• providing temporary works including excavation support
• the basic principles of internal/external drainage and ducting systems
• measuring, marking, cutting and installing geo membranes to stabilise soil
• gauging, mixing, placing, compacting and finishing mortars and concrete by hand and by mixer
• reinstating excavations and ground surface finishes including installing street ironworks

Groundworkers can:

• 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 complete 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 and 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

The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace and on-site. 

You need safety boots and Personal Protective Equipment, such as a hard hat and overalls, which should be supplied by your employer.

The end-point assessment (EPA) will assess how an apprentice can apply their skills, knowledge and behaviours acquired in their apprenticeship through the following three assessments carried out after the gateway point of the apprenticeship:

1. Knowledge test – this test will consist of multiple-choice questions on a computer-based platform or paper-based

2. Skills test – this test will consist of practical activities to assess the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours

3. Professional Discussion – assessed by an Independent Assessor, this discussion will consist of questions that clarify and probe the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours based on the portfolio of evidence they have developed

You could become a groundworker or general construction operative. 

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk