Apprenticeship Opportunity: Construction Plant Operative – Gow Groundworks, Halkirk
- Duration: Minimum of 15 months
- Structure: 13 weeks of training at the college, with further training where required, plus on-the-job experience
- Location: Gow Groundworks, Halkirk
- Training Location: Bircham (Norfolk)
- Dates: Continuous start dates available
Gow Groundworks is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Construction Plant Operative Apprentices.
This apprenticeship course is for individuals who wish to gain the relevant Knowledge, skills and behaviours required to carry out the role of a plant operator in the construction industry, this apprenticeship includes undertaking the role of a plant and vehicle marshal.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to check, prepare and safely operate a variety of plant machines that are used on-site in the construction sector. On this apprenticeship, the individual will further undertake a range of non-operational activities such as the checking, maintaining and cleaning of the machine. They will also learn to direct and guide other plant and vehicles, carry out checks on the work they do and finally help to load their plant onto or off a transporter when being delivered to another site.
This gives the individual the potential opportunity to progress to become a lead operator, supervisor, manager, or even set up their own contracting company.
Course content
This course covers practical principles in:
- Plant and vehicle marshal
- Forward-tipping dumper or articulated dump truck
- Ride-on roller
- Telescopic handler (including suspended loads)
- 360o excavator.
You’ll learn knowledge, skills and behaviours in:
- Safe operation of plant machinery
- Maintenance of plant machinery
- Health, safety and welfare
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Interpreting information
- Effective communication
- Customer relationships.
You’ll also focus on personal skills in:
- Mathematics
- English
- Drug and alcohol awareness
- Time management
- Teamwork and independent working
- Attitude and discipline
- Personal organisation.
Teaching and assessment
13 weeks of training and assessment delivered over a minimum of 15 months, with further training if required.
Block 1: 3–4 weeks
Block 2: 3–4 weeks
Block 3: 6–7 weeks
Block 4: 2 days
Qualifications you gain
- Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) trained operator card (red card)
- Level 1 Functional Skills
Methods of assessment
Apprentices will be regularly assessed via a range of different methods and will be required to complete college and site-based activity journals. Apprentices will be given clear, direct and constructive feedback to enable them to progress to a successful completion.
Mandatory entry requirements
Academic
No formal requirements, but it’s useful to have Maths and English GCSE Grades 3-9 or D-A.
To help us assess your suitability for the course, you’ll need to:
- complete a skills learning exercise and possibly attend the college for further tests
- complete a questionnaire and take part in an informal discussion.
Other information
You’ll need to have:
- good communication skills
- a good level of physical fitness
- you’ll be paid while you learn