Groundworker apprenticeship course

This apprenticeship course is for people who want to gain a vocational qualification in essential civil engineering, while gaining industry experience.

You’ll learn a host of civil engineering principles, such as concreting, excavation activities and drainage, as well as the processes involved in basic project management, health and safety, and levelling and setting out. 

You’ll also learn fundamental building information modelling (BIM) and design principles, receive training in the civil engineering theory, and gain comprehensive practical experience in the featured categories of training.

Course content

Teaching and assessment

18 weeks of training delivered over 15 months

Block 1: 2 Weeks

Block 2: 2 Weeks

Block 3: 2 Weeks

Block 4: 2 Weeks

Block 5: 2 Weeks

Block 6: 2 Weeks

Block 7: 2 Weeks

Block 8: 4 Weeks

Qualifications you gain

• Level 2 Construction Groundworker
• Level 1 Functional Skills, working towards L2 (test must be taken)

Methods of assessment

You’ll be regularly assessed using a range of methods, including written assessment, practical assessment, verbal questioning and presentation, and multiple-choice testing. You’ll also be required to complete college-based and site-based activity journals. You’ll be given clear, direct and constructive feedback to enable you to make progress and successfully complete the course.

Maths and English

The UK government has announced that adult learners over 19 no longer need formal English and maths qualifications for apprenticeships. However, apprentices must still show proficiency in these skills during their training.

At the National Construction College (NCC), we will continue to offer Level 1 and Level 2 English and Maths Functional Skills qualifications, along with Applied English and Maths for Construction sessions. These sessions focus on practical, industry-relevant skills to help apprentices succeed in their roles and pass their assessments.

We believe strong literacy and numeracy are crucial for personal and professional growth. By offering these qualifications and sessions, we ensure our apprentices gain essential skills for long-term success.

NCC Apprenticeship Entry Requirements

Level 2 Apprenticeship:
Applicants must have achieved Maths and English at:

• GCSE grades 3-9 (equivalent to old GCSE grades D-A)
  or
• Functional Skills Level 1 or above (if qualifications were taken after school).

If an applicant does not meet the NCC entry requirements, our dedicated team is here to provide advice and support on the next steps to help them achieve the necessary qualifications.

Other information

The course involves:

• strenuous physical activity
• confined space working
• working at heights
• wearing PPE/RPE
• working to deadlines.