







The Heathrow Shared Apprenticeship Scheme is one of the UK’s most exciting apprenticeship programmes. The scheme provides career changing opportunities for residents close to the airport. Groundworkers play a vital role in preparing construction sites, ensuring the foundations are solid, and creating the essential infrastructure for buildings and other structures. To be a groundworker, you will need a good level of fitness, a basic knowledge of building methods with an understanding of the materials used in construction. Initially you will help to prepare the site by unloading and storing building materials in a safe and efficient manner. Once the building work gets underway, further duties could include: * Clearing the construction site of debris, vegetation, and other obstacles. * Excavating and leveling the ground to the required depth and dimensions. * Marking out areas for foundations and ensuring they are accurately measured and set up. * Digging trenches for foundations and ensuring they are at the correct depth and alignment. * Laying foundations often involving concrete and steel reinforcements. * Installing drainage systems, including pipes and sewers, ensuring proper gradients for efficient water flow. * Creating appropriate falls and cambers to facilitate surface water drainage. * Form working – putting up or dismantling the shuttering that holds the concrete in place. Mixing, layering and smoothing concrete for foundations, floors and beams * Steel fixing – bending and fixing the bars used to reinforce concrete structures * Steel piling – fixing steel sheets together to form temporary retaining walls for excavation work * Collaborating effectively with other construction professionals, including architects, engineers, and fellow groundworkers. * Adhering to strict safety guidelines and protocols, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). * Implementing safety measures to prevent accidents and injuries on the construction site.