A groundworker is a member of construction staff who prepares the land ready for building on, and often takes care of drainage, concreting, kerbing and flagging. At the end of a home build, groundworkers return to put in driveways and footpaths.
The role is suitable for someone who enjoys working outdoors and wants to be involved in one of the most fundamentally important processes within a construction project.
Duties may include:
- Fabricate and tie in steel cages
- Set up site and deal with any logistical issues
- Mark out the area for the site using string lines strung between stakes
- Put up huts, ladders, barriers and safety signs
- Lay drainage pipes, pavements and manhole covers
- Liaise with clients and or principal contractors for each project and report back to project managers on a daily basis
- Redirect waterways
- Remove sewage
Desirable skills and attributes:
- Be able to read bar bending schedules
- Reliable
- Adaptable
- Enthusiastic with good work ethics.
- Good communication skills are required and a can do attitude.
- Be able to interpret construction drawings and designs
- Good general problem solving skills
- Basic numeracy skills
- High level of physical fitness
Qualifications and education needed:
Groundworkers can either enter into the profession following relevant experience, gaining the correct qualifications, or through an apprenticeship.
Many groundworkers start out working with existing contractors or construction companies, and can prove their experience and skills and provide references (which are almost always necessary for groundworker positions).
Machine tickets are advantageous, as is a valid CSCS or CPCS card, and you may want to take extension courses such as Groundworking NVQ or the equivalent City and Guilds qualification.
Sometimes, companies will offer to take on a trainee groundworker, without previous experience. The trainee will work alongside an experienced ground worker learning all aspects of the trade, while undergoing study within a college in an apprenticeship scheme.
Tools Required:
As well as a high visibility vest, safety hat, and safety boots, groundworkers are required to bring their own tools. The tools groundworkers generally need to supply are things such as shovels, hammers, spades, and basic hand tools.
Does this sound like you? For a confidential chat with one of our friendly Construction Consultants at Integra People, please call 01925 875 900 today.
