Groundworks introduction

Duration

Minimum one day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the candidate with knowledge about groundworks on construction sites, which covers: ground investigation, site clearance, stabilisation works, site services, and landscaping.

The scope of this standard covers:

• types of groundwork activities
• types of work activity before and after groundworks
• roles and responsibilities of groundworkers
• types of groundworks: plant, machinery, and hand tools
• uses for: plant, machinery, and hand tools
• hazards, risks, and controls associated with demolition work
• basic groundworks safe work practices
• basic emergency response procedures and equipment
• main legislation, codes of practice, and/or standards that apply to groundworks, including safety and environment.

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s):

• operative and craft
• supervision
• management and leadership.

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard.

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• a train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
• successfully completed training to this standard 
• at least 2 years relevant industrial experience
• a verifiable CV.

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment.

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes, and must comply with relevant legislation.

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes. 

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• classroom
• e-learning
• a blend of classroom and e-learning.

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more theoretical training.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, the trainer will be required to make a declaration of the learner’s contribution during the course and that they are confident the learner has understood the content of the course.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard. 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

No renewal/refreshment requirements: there are no mandatory renewal or recommended refreshment requirements for this standard.

Approval date

November 2018

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

• describe types of groundwork activities
• types of work activity before and after groundworks
• describe roles and responsibilities of groundworkers
• describe types of groundworks: plant, machinery, and hand tools
• list uses for: plant, machinery, and hand tools
• describe hazards, risks, and controls associated with demolition work
• describe basic groundworks safe work practices
• describe basic emergency response procedures and equipment
• describe basic legislation, codes of practice, and/or standards that apply to groundworks, including safety and environment.