Quality-focused groundworking programme
Groundworkers play a vital role in preparing sites for construction, ensuring projects get off to a safe and efficient start. Our Groundworker Apprenticeship has been developed specifically for the home-building industry and is delivered through our purpose-built training hubs.
This apprenticeship is ideal for:
- new entrants looking to start a career in groundworking
- employers seeking a cost-effective way to train new groundworkers and help close the skills gap.
Key benefits of this apprenticeship
Realistic site experience
Our training hubs immerse apprentices in realistic site conditions and our intensive model delivers core skills and training upfront so they are ready to contribute on site from day one.
Financial support
Many training costs are fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, with CITB grants available to support employers.
Quality focussed
This is a quality-focused, NHBC Standards-driven apprenticeship. Apprentices learn the importance of compliance with the Standards and high-quality output from day one.
Flexibility
Choose a start date that aligns with your workforce planning. Accelerated learning enables apprentices to complete their qualification in 14–18 months.
Programme overview
Duration: 14-18 month programme (accelerated compared to traditional training routes).
Delivery: Initial two-week intensive skills delivery at a training hub, after which they will be ready to go on site. Following this, apprentices return to the training hub every 5–6 weeks.
Intake dates: Multiple intake dates throughout the year.
Qualification: Level 2 Groundworker Apprenticeship.
Accreditation: Meets Apprenticeship Standard ST0513.
Apprentices develop skills in:
- systems of safe working
- setting out, buried services and ironworks
- construction methods, drawings and communicating with others
- producing paving finishes
- gauging, mixing, placing, compacting and finishing construction mortars and concrete (kerbing and shuttering)
- working in confined spaces, trenches and temporary works
- installing drainage and ducting
- reinstating excavations and ground surface finishes
- installing geomembranes.
Intake dates
There is a maximum cohort size of 20 for each date.
-
Hull
8 September 2025
-
Lichfield
22 September 2025
-
Newcastle
29 September 2025
-
Cambridge
6 October 2025
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Lichfield
20 October 2025
Enquire about our apprenticeship programmes
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss hiring an apprentice and working with us as your training provider. We will respond to you within three working days.
Contact us for more information
If you would like more information, please use the contact form or call our training team.
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
Ready to apply?
If you're an employer ready to enrol a team member, or a prospective apprentice already employed, complete our application form and send it to qualifications@nhbc.co.uk.
A member of our apprenticeships team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
More information
How do apprenticeships work?
Learn more about the practical aspects of joining an apprenticeship scheme.
Apprenticeship funding
Grants are available to recognise the extra cost, resource and time involved in recruiting and training apprentices.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about our apprenticeship programmes.