Groundworks apprentice

Introduction

Brandwells Construction are delighted to be offering a Groundwork Apprenticeship, looking for 4 apprentices to join the groundworks team.

About the Employer

Brandwells Construction was first registered as Brandwells Ltd on 9th April 1973 by Andy Dowden, Executive Chairman, and my then senior partner, Joe Whitter. The business was renamed Brandwells Construction Co Ltd before it commenced trading. Joe and Andy had worked together in two previous employments, firstly at Avonmouth Plant & Construction Co. Ltd (APC) and later at Durnfords Construction Ltd (Durnfords), based in central Bristol. At APC, I was a trainee when first assigned to work under Joe, who was a senior Contracts Manager for the Company. Some years later, after I had had a spell as a Site Engineer for Holland and Hannen and Cubitts Ltd, we again came together when Joe left APC and took up the position of Managing Director at Durnfords Construction and invited me to join him as his Contract Manager. After about 7 years of working together, the Company was subject to a takeover, and this is what led to us jointly deciding to branch out on our own. The birth of Brandwells Construction. The company continued to grow and now has established itself as one of the foremost groundworks contractors in the South West, we have attained preferred contractor status with quite a number of our clients. Our clients now include most of the major housing developers: Barratt Homes, Lovell, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey, Linden and Bovis (now Vistry), David Wilson and Bellway as well as a number of smaller regional development companies. Where we are today There have been many ups and downs along the way, including recessions, the financial crisis of 2008 and most recently the Covid pandemic but the Company has managed to weather the storms and, thanks to the strong and dedicated team of people who make up the present-day management, not forgetting the now 300 plus operatives who actually do the work, we are stronger than ever. 2022 saw the opening of a South West Regional office at Alphington, Exeter to cope with the growth in our workload in this area and it was also a record year for the Company with turnover hitting an all-time high of over £62 million. 2023 promises to be another challenging year in the wake of the pandemic and as a consequence of the energy crisis brought on by the war in Ukraine, but from its position of strength there is every hope that we will see off that challenge as we have many times in the past.

What You'll Do

The apprentices will be involved in many duties during day, no day is the same:

• Gaining an understading of the principles of health, safety, welfare and environmentally responsible work practices and how they must be applied in relation to the work, self and to others including understanding the principles of risk assessments
• Basic awareness of environmental and health hazards
• Work safely and securely in compliance with given information, organisational policies and procedures, and current health, safety and welfare legislation including following the procedures for working in contaminated ground
• Conform with productive working practices and completing the work in accordance with the programme of work
• Interpret and follow verbal and written work instructions from supervisors and site managersAccess, interpret and use drawings and specificationsSelect the required resources including tools and fixture
• Move, handle and store resources complying with relevant legislation & guidance
• Use and maintain power tools and equipment (including;. compactor plates, boning rods, portable power tools, levels, straight edges, lines, pins and laser equipment)
• Gauge and mix mortars and concrete by hand and by mixer
• Select and use basic setting out equipment including tape measures, levels, straight edges, lines and pins, boning rods and laser equipment under guidance of the supervisor
• Install, maintain and remove temporary protection and safety arrangements for the work area relating to barriers and temporary structures, including protection, safety notices and safety lighting
• Install and test basic drainage and ducting
• Measure, mark, cut and install geo-membranes to stabilise soil for re-instatement and excavations
• Transport and place, then compact and finish concrete to slabs/bases, footing oversights, paths, form slab edgings including positioning reinforcement and kerbs
• Set out and lay flags, paviours and edging to paths, driveways and other areas
• Install ironworks relating to access covers and frames, and gully grates and frames including preparatory brickwork
• Locate and excavate to expose buried utility services using electronic location instruments
• Provide and remove temporary works including shallow excavation support (up to 1.2 metres)
• Form and reinstate excavations and surfaces to sub-grades, sub-bases and road bases
• Prepare to, then direct and guide the movement of vehicles, plant or machinery

Training Outcome

• The apprenticeship is the starting point for an exciting career within the team

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - Maths and English - 3-9

Course Information

Course: Groundworker (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Construction and the built environment

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday- Friday. Shifts to be confirmed.

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Number of Positions Available: 2

Training Provider: SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE