Trainee Operative

VolkerWessels UK; Banbury; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive rewards and benefits

Private medical care

Pension

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

VolkerLaser seeks a motivated Trainee Operative to join our project teams across the UK. No prior construction experience is required; full training and support will be provided, with on‑the‑job learning and a paid Level 2 Highways Maintenance apprenticeship delivered with CITB.

You will work with an experienced team on site, learn safety procedures, operate tools and equipment, and attend CITB blocks while progressing toward your qualification.

Qualifications

• Interest in construction or working outdoors.
• Positive attitude, good timekeeping and safety focus.
• Commitment to attending and completing CITB training.
• Willingness to obtain a CSCS card if you don't already have one.
• Ability to travel to depot and site locations as required; role based on site.

Responsibilities

• Support project activities alongside experienced operatives.
• Learn to perform tasks safely and to required standards.
• Use tools, plant and equipment safely with training and authorization.
• Attend CITB training blocks and apply learnings on site.
• Follow health, safety, wellbeing and environmental procedures.
• Keep work areas tidy and safe.
• Report hazards, near misses or unsafe conditions.
• Represent VolkerLaser professionally on site.

Skills

Construction interest

Outdoor work

Safety focus

Willingness to learn

CSCS card

Education

Level 2 apprenticeship

Job description

VolkerLaser repairs, strengthens and waterproofs concrete and steel structures, offering a tailored package of specialist works to clients across the UK. Our structural solutions include bridge deck waterproofing, expansion joints, concrete repair and cathodic protection works, steel repair and strengthening work, carbon fibre and temporary works, jacking and bearing replacement. We also provide specialist lightweight decking and access solutions, as well as being specialists in long bridge and cable refurbishment.

Start: Asap

Contract: Full-time, 45 hours per week

VolkerLaser repairs, strengthens and waterproofs concrete and steel structures, offering a tailored package of specialist works to clients across the UK. Our structural solutions include bridge deck waterproofing, expansion joints, concrete repair and cathodic protection works, steel repair and strengthening work, carbon fibre and temporary works, jacking and bearing replacement. We also provide specialist lightweight decking and access solutions, as well as being specialists in long bridge and cable refurbishment.

About the role

Learning about what we do will be really exciting and 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 Trainee Operative to join our growing project teams across 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, delivered in partnership with the CITB Construction College.

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 activities
• Learning how to carry out tasks safely and to the required standard
• Using tools, plant and equipment safely (with training and authorisation)
• Attending CITB 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 VolkerLaser professionally on site

About you

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

You'll need:

• An interest in construction or working outdoors
• A positive attitude, good timekeeping and a strong focus on safety
• Commitment to attending and completing CITB training as scheduled
• Willingness to obtain a CSCS card if you don't already have one
• Ability to travel to depot and site locations as required. The role of trainee operative will be based on a site that may not be close to your home and you could be based
• on any VolkerLaser.

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.

Training and development

• You'll complete the Highways Maintenance Operative - Level 2 apprenticeship. You'll be given paid time during your working week for training and study (a minimum of 20% off-the-job learning), alongside hands-on experience on site.

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerLaser 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.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerLaser are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Flexible working opportunities
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

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.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed

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.