Trainee Site Operative

Chiltern Thrust Bore; Olney; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full specialist in-house and off-site,

Career development opportunities

28 days’ holiday inclusive of 8 bank/h

Workplace pension

Full PPE provided

Accommodation provided when projects?w

Additional allowance when working away

Job summary

Chiltern Thrust Bore in Olney, Buckinghamshire, is looking for a Trainee Site Operative to join a team delivering trenchless technology across the UK. The role offers full training and a clear path toward becoming a Driller and Auger Bore Operator, with hands‑on learning on diverse projects.

You will travel nationwide with an experienced team, receive both in‑house and off‑site training, and assist lead drillers while building practical skills.

Qualifications

• Full valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.
• Willingness to travel extensively and stay away from home.
• Flexibility to work nights or weekends when required.
• Positive, can-do attitude with willingness to learn new skills.
• Technical aptitude and interest in practical, hands-on work.
• Fluency in verbal and written English.
• CSCS/CPCS card if not already held.

Responsibilities

• Supporting trenchless projects: assist with horizontal directional drilling and guided auger boring.
• Learning specialist techniques: complete in-house and off-site training.
• Assisting lead drillers: follow instructions and support safe project completion.
• Working safely on site: maintain health and safety awareness.
• Supporting nationwide projects: travel with the team to various UK locations.
• Developing technical skills: learn equipment and methods.
• Contributing to the site team: be a reliable, hands-on member.

Skills

Driving licence

Willingness to travel

Team player

Health & safety aware

Job description

Trainee Site Operative

Are you practical, motivated and looking to build a specialist career in a hands‑on outdoor role? This is an excellent opportunity to join our team at Chiltern Thrust Bore and receive full training in trenchless technology, including horizontal directional drilling and guided auger boring, while working on projects across the UK and developing towards becoming a skilled Driller and Auger Bore Operator. Previous construction or civil engineering experience is not essential, making this an accessible opportunity for someone with technical aptitude, a positive attitude and a genuine willingness to learn.

FULL TRAINING PROVIDED

All levels of experience considered. Candidates do not necessarily need previous construction or civil engineering experience as full training will be provided. However, will require a technical aptitude and a willingness to learn new skills.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Construction Operative, Trainee Construction Operative, Site Assistant, Construction Labourer, Site Labourer, Civils Operative, Drilling Operative, Assistant Driller, Drilling Assistant, Groundworker

SALARY:

Starting from £33,800 per annum (£130 per day) + Career Development Opportunities

LOCATION:

Olney, Buckinghamshire

This role will involve extensive UK travel with overnight stays. Additional remuneration when working away from home.

JOB TYPE:

Full-Time, Permanent

WORKING HOURS:

Monday to Friday, 10 hours per day (However, there may be occasions when there is a potential to work overtime and specific projects requiring Night and/or Weekend working at additional rates)

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will need a Driving Licence and their own vehicle to commute to the offices in Olney, Buckinghamshire. Company Transport will be provided when travelling to project sites nationwide.

Opportunities to Train as a Skilled Driller and Auger Bore Operative

JOB OVERVIEW

The company has an excellent opportunity for a Trainee Site Operative who enjoys practical, physical work and wants to learn a specialist trade. The company provides trenchless technology services to the construction and civil engineering sectors nationwide, using techniques including horizontal directional drilling and guided auger boring.

Working as the Trainee Site Operative you will travel throughout the UK with an experienced team, assisting across trenchless technology projects and learning directly from established lead drillers. The role offers both in‑house and off‑site training, provided and paid for by the company, with the aim of developing successful candidates into fully qualified drilling and Auger Bore Operators.

Previous construction-sector or directional drilling experience is advantageous but is not essential. As the Trainee Site Operative you will instead need a strong work ethic, technical aptitude, physical fitness and a willingness to learn while maintaining high standards of health and safety.

The role involves extensive UK travel. Some projects will require overnight stays away from home during the working week. Accommodation will be provided by the company together with an additional allowance and expenses when working away.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Trainee Site Operative include:

• Supporting Trenchless Projects: Assist experienced team members with the delivery of trenchless technology services, including horizontal directional drilling, guided auger boring and associated site activities

• Learning Specialist Techniques: Complete company‑funded in‑house and off‑site training while developing the practical and technical skills required to progress towards becoming a skilled Driller and Auger Bore Operator

• Assisting Lead Drillers: Work closely with lead drillers and other experienced colleagues, following instructions and supporting the safe and effective completion of project activities

• Working Safely on Site: Follow safe working practices and maintain a high level of health and safety awareness to protect colleagues, contractors, members of the public and yourself

• Supporting Nationwide Projects: Travel with the team from the Olney office to project locations across the UK, including staying away from home when required

• Developing Technical Skills: Build knowledge of specialist equipment, working methods and trenchless technology through practical experience and structured training

• Contributing to the Site Team: Take a positive, hands‑on approach to physical site work and contribute effectively as a reliable member of the project team

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• Full valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle to commute to the company’s offices in Olney, Buckinghamshire. Company transport is provided from the office to project sites nationwide

• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the UK and stay away from home during the working week when projects require it

• Flexibility to work nights or weekends when required

• Positive, can‑do attitude with a genuine willingness to learn new skills and develop a specialist trade

• Technical aptitude and an interest in practical, hands‑on work

• Physical fitness suitable for an outdoor and physically active site‑based role

• Fluency in verbal and written English

• Successful applicants must obtain a CSCS/CPCS card at their own expense if they do not already hold one

DESIRABLE

• Previous experience within construction or a related environment

• Experience or skills relating to directional drilling or guided auger boring

• HGV Class 2 licence; however, this is advantageous only and this is not a driving role

BENEFITS

• Full specialist in‑house and off‑site training provided and paid for by the company

• Career development opportunities with the potential to progress towards becoming a skilled Driller and Auger Bore Operator

• 28 days’ holiday inclusive of 8 statutory bank holidays

• Workplace pension

• Full PPE provided free of charge

• Accommodation provided when projects require overnight stays

• Additional allowance and expenses when working away from home

JOB REF: AWDO-P15165

This job is being advertised by AWD online on behalf of Chiltern Thrust Bore