Apprentice Groundworker

Constructionandplantassessments; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Construction is offering a Groundworker Apprenticeship (Level 2) in Barnsley. The role runs Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, with 40 hours per week and a first-year wage of £16,640, rising with age.

You will train on-site and learn through hands-on tasks including digging trenches, formwork, drainage, and concreting. Training includes seven block-release sessions in Denaby Main, Doncaster, with progression towards the Level 2 Groundworker Apprenticeship Standard.

Qualifications

• GCSEs required; apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect prior knowledge.
• Show initiative and physical fitness are important for groundworking tasks.

Responsibilities

• Groundworking tasks: marking out and digging shallow trenches for foundations and drains.
• Form working: erecting or dismantling shuttering for concrete.
• Installing drainage and manholes; concreting; road works; use of hand tools and small plant machinery.

Skills

Initiative

Physical fitness

Education

GCSEs

Job description

Closes in 3 days (Monday 12 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Start your career with Palmer Construction! Gain hands-on experience, earn while you learn, and develop industry-recognised skills. We offer structured career paths, ongoing training, a supportive team, rewards, social activities, equal opportunities, and a safe workplace where you can build a successful future.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

There are occasions when travel time or lodging allowance is paid if the site is a distance from Head Office. This is in addition to the basic salary.

Training course Groundworker (level 2)

Hours Monday - Friday 7.30am - 4.00pm (however travelling to and from site will be before and after these hours).

40 hours a week

Monday 9 November 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

Groundworkers are employed on construction sites that involve ground preparation such as, foundations or footing for new buildings. Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• Ground working - marking out and digging shallow trenches for foundations and drains
• Form working - putting up or dismantling the shuttering that holds setting concrete in place
• Installing drainage and manholes
• Concreting
• Minor road working - laying kerbs, paving and re-surfacing
• Using hand tools and small plant machinery

Where you'll work

SYNERGY HOUSE
124 PONTEFRACT ROAD
BARNSLEY
S71 1JA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• 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

You will achieve the Level 2 Groundworker Apprenticeship Standard by attending CP Assessments Training Centre in Denaby Main, Doncaster to undertake 7 block-release training sessions (4 days), every 10 - 12 weeks.

The successful candidate will work towards achieving Functional Skills Level 2 in both Maths and English if they have not achieved this prior or have an equivalent.

Apprentices will also get an Apprentice CSCS card which can be upgraded on completion of the apprenticeship.

Requirements

GCSE in:

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Initiative
• Physical fitness

About this employer

Established in 1994, Palmer provides civil engineering and construction support across a wide range of sectors. Our vision is to be recognised as the civil engineering partner of choice for utilities infrastructure projects. We aim to achieve our vision through our reputation, client satisfaction levels, experience and professional capabilities, along with the high regard in which our clients, as well as our company, holds our staff.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the successful candidate to start their career with a highly reputable and well-established company.

Progression within the organisation with more responsibility is expected on successful completion of the apprenticeship.

In time, you may wish to undertake further qualifications such as Occupational Work Supervision which can be studied at Level 3. With experience you could progress to Site Supervisor, Estimator, or Construction Manager.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CONSTRUCTION AND PLANT ASSESSMENTS LTD

Tracey Rowley

[e-mail]

01709 868181

The reference code for this apprenticeship isVAC2000054559.