Trainee Operative

VolkerWessels UK; Chipping Warden; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 16,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Birthday leave

Private medical care

Pension

Cycle to Work scheme

Training opportunities

Flexible working

Job summary

VolkerLaser in the UK is seeking a Trainee Operative to join our growing project teams. This full-time role offers on-the-job learning while working toward a nationally recognised Level 2 apprenticeship in Highways Maintenance, delivered with the CITB Construction College.

You’ll work on site with experienced operatives, learn safe methods, use tools and equipment, attend CITB blocks, and enjoy paid training time during working hours.

Qualifications

• Interest in construction or working outdoors.
• Commitment to safety and timekeeping.
• Willingness to obtain a CSCS card.
• Willingness to travel and stay away from home regularly.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside experienced operatives to support project activities.
• Learn how to carry out tasks safely and to the required standard.
• Use tools, plant and equipment safely.
• Attend CITB training blocks and apply what you learn back 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

Willingness to learn

Teamwork

Safety conscious

Outdoor work

Education

Level 3 English and Maths qualification

Job description

About Us

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.

Trainee Operative

Location: Chipping Warden, Banbury

Start: Asap

Contract: Full-time, 45 hours per week

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.

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
• Willingness to work and stay away from home on a regular basis (Requirement)
• 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 site across the UK. All travel and hotel accommodation costs will be paid for.
• A Full UK driving licence is required for this opportunity as it will be needed for operational duties

Maths and English

• A minimum Level 3 qualification in both English and Maths is required for this role.

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.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

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 salary
• 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.

Additional information

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 to [e-mail]. 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.