Civil Operations - Groundwork

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications (Knowledge and Competence *)
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

* Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction) qualifications for the following pathways only: 

a) modular pavement 

b) kerbs and channels 

c) structural concreting 

d) concreting 

e) construction operations 

f) excavation and reinstatement 

g) excavation 

h) reinstatement.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway Groundworks/Construction Operations is 91 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway (Civil Ops-Groundwork) is 93 credits.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirement but the following is recommended 

Level 2

. This Apprenticeship is suitable for learners who:

• Are aged 16+ and have one or more of the following: 
• Have verifiable 3 years or more employment in the trade in which the apprenticeship is to be undertaken. 
• GCSE grade G or above in any two of the following: - English, maths, Welsh and either a science or technical-based subject.
• Essential Skills Wales or Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number at level 1 or above. 
• Level 1 Extended Certificate or Diploma in Construction Skills (6219-06 or 6219-07).
• GCSE grade G or above in The WJEC Built Environment. 
• City & Guilds Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering Level 2.
• City & Guilds Progression in Construction Level 2 (In the trade relevant to the apprenticeship).

Experienced learners as defined above may also have qualities or achievements beyond qualification attainment which should be considered. They will not have to attain one of the other qualifications listed.

Level 3

List a This Apprenticeship is suitable for learners who:

• are aged 16+ currently working in the trade area and have¹ :
• achieved the Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering Qualification or
• achieved the Progression in Construction Qualification in which the apprenticeship is to be undertaken² or
• achieved a Level 2 or 3 Certificate or Diploma in the trade in which the apprenticeship is to be undertaken or
• Verifiable³ 3 years or more employment in the trade in which the apprenticeship is to be undertaken.

List b, and one or more of the following, or equivalent qualifications, at or above level of the list below ⁴:

• Welsh Baccalaureate National Diploma
• Foundation Qualification in Construction and Building Services Engineering
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in a Construction Trade.
• Essential Skills Wales or Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number at level 1 or above.
• GCSE grade A*-D in any two of the following: - a communication subject, maths and either a science or technical-based subject.
• A*- D grade in The WJEC Built Environment GCSE.
• Level 2 Merit WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Designing the Built Environment.
• WJEC A/AS Built Environment GCE.
• Merit, Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Construction and the Built Environment

¹ Direct entrant onto the Construction Core in Construction and Building Services Engineering pathway will only have to have achieved one of the entry requirements from list b.

² From 2023 onwards the Progression in Construction Qualification will not be eligible as an entry requirement option.

 ³ Will require verification from the employer that the learner has the necessary trade employment experience.

⁴ Experienced learners as defined in list a may also have qualities or achievements beyond qualification attainment which should be considered.  They will not have to attain one of the qualifications in list b.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Groundworks/Construction Operations

Level 2: Groundworks/Construction Operations Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following knowledge qualification(s) below.

Groundworks 8042-10


Participants must achieve one of the following Competence qualification(s) below.

- Modular Pavement Construction (6574-40)

- Laying Kerbs and Channels (6574-41)

- Structural Concreting (6574-43)

- Concreting (6574-44)

- Construction Operations (6574-45)

- Excavation and Reinstatement (6574-47)

- Excavation (Construction) (6574-48)

- Reinstatement (6574-49)

GT73 68 Concreting

GT78 68 Construction Operations

GT79 68 Excavation & Reinstatement

GT7A 68 Laying Kerbs and Channels

Pathway F & I are exempt from funding

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

Proxies for Essential Skills Wales can be found on the SASW framework document, point 24. 

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• The anticipated duration of the Construction Groundworks/Construction Operations Apprenticeship for new entrants will be 2 years.
•  
• The above figures are for guidance only and may be different for experienced/older workers depending on the amount/nature of relevant experience, and significantly reduced for those progressing from related qualifications such as the City & Guilds Progression in Construction Level 2 – Groundworks 8042-10 Qualification.
•  
• The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 2020 training hours.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Civil Operations-Groundwork

Level 3: Civil Operations-Groundwork Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

Proxies for Essential Skills Wales can be found on the SASW framework document point 24.

the-specification-of-apprenticeship-standards-for-wales-sasw.pdf (gov.wales)

On/Off the Job training

The anticipated duration of the Civil Engineering Groundworks apprenticeships will be between 2 years (Post Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering Qualification) and 3 years (Including Foundation Core in Construction and Building Services Engineering Qualification).

The above figures are for guidance only and may be different for experienced/older workers depending on the amount/nature of relevant experience, and significantly reduced for those progressing from related qualifications such as the Progression in Construction Qualification).

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Other additional requirements

None.

Job roles

Level 2

This Framework specifies the standards and criteria for the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Groundworks/Construction Operations . Successful achievement of all the components of this Framework will lead to the award of a Level 2 qualification and recognition as a qualified Groundworker/Construction Operations within the sector.

The Award of this Qualifications will enable the learner to apply for a CSCS Blue skilled worker Card.

This Framework has a single pathway:

• Groundworks/Construction Operations 

The qualification will allow learners to plan and perform groundwork/Construction Operations projects, in line with nationally recognised occupational standards, before reviewing the outputs of their work. 

It covers knowledge and understanding of 

• working in the construction sector 
• relevant legislation 
• groundworks

and skills in 

• interpreting information, selecting and using resources 
• adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices 
• Set out secondary dimensional work control
• Prepare and mix construction related materials

Throughout the Apprenticeship process the Apprentice should, as a minimum, develop and display the behaviours that show them to be consistently:

1. Assertive

2. Confident

3. Dressed appropriately 

4. Empathetic 

5. Fair

6. Honest

7. Proactive

8. Productive 

9. Punctual 

10. Reliable

11. Respectful (in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion)

Level 3

This Framework specifies the standards and criteria for the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Civil Operations-Groundwork. Successful achievement of all the components of this Framework will lead to the award of a Level 3 qualification and recognition as a qualified Civil Operations-Groundworker within the sector. The Award of this Qualifications will enable the learner to apply for a CSCS Skilled Worker Card.

This Framework has a single pathway:

• Civil Operations-Groundwork

Working on a construction site or in a public place, to given specifications, laying drainage, placing street iron works, laying pavements, and excavating holes and trenches.

This Apprenticeship is designed to provide individuals with the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge that are needed to carry out Civil Operations-Groundworks in commercial and industrial settings.

On completion of the requirements in this Framework, the Apprentice should, as a minimum, have the core skills and core knowledge required to carry out Civil Operations-Groundworks in a safe, sustainable, and competent manner. Details of skills to be developed are outlined in the qualification specifications and employer confirmation handbooks.

In addition, the Apprentice should also be able to:

• Apply professional judgement and support
• Challenge unsafe behaviors/activities
• Demonstrate innovation through the identification of areas for improvement and suggestion and/or development of innovative solutions
• Identify and manage risks to self and others
• Keep work area clean and tidy
• Manage own time effectively
• Think logically and accordance with the demands of the situation using clear and valid reasoning when making decisions to undertake the work instructions
• Work effectively individually and in a team
• Work in accordance with quality requirements
• Work productively
• Work safely and ensure the safety of others.
• Work within own level of competence and know when to seek advice from others
• Understand Technological requirements and changes
• Understand Statutory and Non- Statutory Regulations & Requirements
• Understand Working practices in accordance with Health and Safety requirements
• Understand Inspection, testing and commissioning procedures
• Apply health and safety and environmental legislation in the Construction sector.
• Establish and maintain relationships in the Construction sector

Throughout the Apprenticeship process the Apprentice should, as a minimum, develop and display the behaviours that show them to be consistently:

1. Assertive
2. Confident
3. Dressed appropriately
4. Empathetic
5. Fair
6. Honest
7. Proactive
8. Productive
9. Punctual
10. Reliable
11. Respectful (in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion)

Progression

Level 2

Successful completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Groundwork/Construction Operations will equip an apprentice with:

• knowledge and understanding of the construction sector in Wales, including relevant environmental principles 
• occupational knowledge and understanding of groundworks, including the tools, techniques, materials and technologies used in the trade 
• skills for working safely and productively in the construction sector 
• ability to effectively plan work to complete groundworks tasks in a work environment 

On completion, the qualification, along with employer confirmation of occupational proficiency, will provide learners with the skills and knowledge required for the learner to be capable of working in Groundwork/Construction Operations across the UK. Learners can also progress onto a Level 3 qualification. E.g. City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) - Civil Operations - Groundworks

Level 3

The aim of this Framework is to ensure that the successful learners gain:

• The Skills and Knowledge required by the industry to achieve competence
• Job related skills that will be used in the working environment
• Knowledge and skills aligned to working practices, relevant statutory and non-statutory regulations
• Transferable and Core Skills
• The basis for career progression

When apprentices have completed this Framework, they have a number of progression options to them including:

• Vocational: develop self in the role and seek promotion
• Academic: use the qualifications gained as the basis for further study and entry to Further or Higher Education as appropriate
• Combination of Vocational and Academic: undertake part time study while still working. This may be as part of a structured Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) if this is relevant/available.

More specifically, on successful completion of this Apprenticeship in Civil Operations-Groundwork an apprentice will be furnished with the skills and knowledge, and have the qualifications to:

• Apply for the CSCS Skilled Worker card via CSCS at www.cscs.uk.com/
• Progress onto a relevant Higher-Level Apprenticeship  
• Progress in their career with further training into such job roles as, Site/Workshop Supervisor/ Manager etc.

Further career guidance can be found at:

• https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/groundworker/
• https://careerswales.gov.wales/job-information/ground-worker

It is anticipated that successful candidates will progress within the Construction industry in qualified positions such as employed or self-employed, supervisors, managers.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

Although the construction industry has not, historically, been a traditional career choice for women. This has now changed, and women are better supported and work successfully in the industry.

The sectoral bodies work at local, regional and national levels to identify and address issues around equality and diversity. This work is supported by local/national government, non-governmental bodies/agencies and relevant Unions. 

It is a requirement that apprentice recruitment is open and fair to all who meet the selection criteria, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sexual orientation or disability.

All partners involved in the delivery of the apprenticeship and employers must be committed to a policy of equal opportunities and must have a formal equal opportunities policy and procedure in place.

Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in selection and employment. All promotional, selection and training activities must comply with relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.

Providers will monitor equality of opportunity practice and procedures within their own organisation and take positive action when necessary. It is also recommended that employers/providers conduct an exit interview if the apprentice leaves the programme before completion.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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