Groundworks and plant
Be first on site. Operate the machines that get a build moving.
Entry rates rising quickly once you hold plant tickets.
The route
How people get in and grow
Groundworkers and plant operators are needed at the very start of every development. Strong demand and clear ticket-based progression.
- 1
Get site-ready
A CSCS card gets you on site as a groundworker or labourer.
Unlocks: CSCS card
- 2
Add a plant ticket
Accredited plant training lets you operate specific machinery.
Unlocks: CPCS or NPORS plant ticket
- 3
Specialise
Build a stack of tickets and experience to lead a gang.
Unlocks: Multiple plant tickets, supervisory training
Where this goes
Skilled trades and construction across the places we cover runs from Level 2 (about GCSEs at grade 4 to 9) up to Level 6 (about a bachelors degree). These are the levels people move through, and what is open right now at each one.
Level 2about the same as GCSEs at grade 4 to 9
38 openings across the places we cover17 different apprenticeshipstypically £17,982 a year(middle of 37 advertised)- Supply chain warehouse operative (level 2)
- Property maintenance operative (level 2)
- Groundworker (level 2)
- Carpentry and joinery (level 2)
Level 3about the same as A levels
23 openings across the places we cover11 different apprenticeshipstypically £17,500 a year(middle of 23 advertised)- International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
- Installation and maintenance electrician (level 3)
- Civil engineering technician (level 3)
- Surveying technician (level 3)
Level 4about the same as an HNC
7 openings across the places we cover4 different apprenticeshipstypically £16,640 a year(middle of 5 advertised)- Construction quantity surveying technician (level 4)
- Civil engineering senior technician (level 4)
- Construction design and build technician (level 4)
- Construction site supervisor (level 4)
Level 6about the same as a bachelors degree
8 openings across the places we cover5 different apprenticeshipstypically £20,000 a year(middle of 7 advertised)- Chartered surveyor (degree) (level 6)
- Building services engineer (level 6)
- Civil engineer (level 6)
- Geospatial mapping and science specialist (degree) (level 6)
Levels and apprenticeship standards from the Department for Education Find an apprenticeship service, counted from vacancies open today. Wages are the middle of what employers actually advertised, not a promise about any one job, and they do not always rise with the level: pay depends on the employer and the year as much as the qualification. These are the levels within this line of work, not a guarantee that one apprenticeship leads to the next.
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