Apprentice General Operative

VolkerFitzpatrick Limited; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 12,000 - 14,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Retail discounts

23 days paid annual leave

Job summary

VolkerHighways, part of VolkerWessels UK, invites applicants for an early careers cohort beginning September 2026. This full-time role offers a nationally recognised Level 2 apprenticeship in Highways Maintenance, with college blocks and overnight accommodation as needed.

You will join project teams across the south of the UK, learning on the job while gaining practical site experience and structured training. ACS/CSCS preparation and safety focus are central to the program.

Qualifications

• Interest in construction and outdoor work; eager to learn.
• Willingness to obtain a CSCS card and work toward UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Support project operations on site (kerb laying, footway works, drainage, civils).
• Learn tasks safely and to required standards.
• Use tools and equipment safely with training and authorisation.
• Attend training blocks and apply learning onsite.
• Follow health, safety, wellbeing and environmental procedures.
• Represent VolkerHighways professionally on site.

Skills

Interest in construction

Team player

Safety conscious

Flexible hours

CSCS awareness

Job description

Location: Medway

Salary: Up to £10 p/h (First year)

Start: September 2026 (College programme in Hampshire/ West Sussex begins September/ October 2026)

About us

VolkerHighways is a leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts for local authorities. We deliver public realm infrastructure projects and are independent specialist traffic management contractors.

About the role

This is the ideal opportunity if you are looking for your first role in the construction industry.

We’re looking to strengthen our business by recruiting an early careers cohort in 2026 and have an exciting opportunity for a number of apprentice general operatives to join our project teams across the south of the UK.

This is a full-time role where you’ll learn on the job while working towards a nationally recognised Level 2 apprenticeship in Highways Maintenance. Attendance at college will be required in blocks of at least a week with overnight accommodation provided

You’ll join an operational project team and develop practical skills through a mix of real site experience and structured training. Apprenticeships combine work with study, including paid time during your working hours for training and learning.

No previous construction experience is required — full training and support will be provided.

What you’ll be doing

• Working alongside experienced operatives to support project operational activities such as kerb laying and footway works, drainage repairs and installation, asphalt and patching works, general civils and groundworks
• Learning how to carry out tasks safely and to the required standard
• Using tools, plant and equipment safely (with training and authorisation)
• Attending training blocks and applying what you learn back on site
• Following health, safety, wellbeing and environmental procedures
• Keeping work areas tidy and safe
• Reporting hazards, near misses or unsafe conditions
• Representing VolkerHighways professionally on site

About you

We’re looking for someone reliable, motivated and keen to learn, who enjoys practical, physical, outdoor work and working as part of a team.

• An interest in construction and working outdoors
• A positive attitude, good timekeeping and a strong focus on safety
• A flexible approach to working hours as this can involve early starts, night work, weekends and working shifts
• Commitment to attending and completing training as scheduled
• Willingness to obtain a CSCS card if you don’t already have one
• A driving licence is not required at application stage, but you must be willing to work towards a full UK driving licence during the apprenticeship, as it will be needed for operational duties

Maths and English

You do not need to already hold GCSE Maths or English to apply. If required, support will be provided as part of the apprenticeship to help you achieve the appropriate level alongside your job.

Why work with us?

VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

With this Apprenticeship, you'll get:

• A permanent job with structured training and support
• A nationally recognised Level 2 apprenticeship qualification (equivalent to GCSE level)
• Real site experience, mentoring and progression opportunities as you develop.
• Company benefits package including pension, retail discounts and 23 days paid annual leave.

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

Additional information

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.