OpportunityPlatform
All career paths

Groundworks and plant

Be first on site. Operate the machines that get a build moving.

Entry rates rising quickly once you hold plant tickets.

The route

How people get in and grow

Groundworkers and plant operators are needed at the very start of every development. Strong demand and clear ticket-based progression.

  1. 1

    Get site-ready

    A CSCS card gets you on site as a groundworker or labourer.

    Unlocks: CSCS card

  2. 2

    Add a plant ticket

    Accredited plant training lets you operate specific machinery.

    Unlocks: CPCS or NPORS plant ticket

  3. 3

    Specialise

    Build a stack of tickets and experience to lead a gang.

    Unlocks: Multiple plant tickets, supervisory training

Where this goes

Skilled trades and construction across the places we cover runs from Level 2 (about GCSEs at grade 4 to 9) up to Level 6 (about a bachelors degree). These are the levels people move through, and what is open right now at each one.

  1. Level 2about the same as GCSEs at grade 4 to 9

    30 openings across the places we cover14 different apprenticeshipstypically £16,640 a year(middle of 28 advertised)
    • Supply chain warehouse operative (level 2)
    • Property maintenance operative (level 2)
    • Carpentry and joinery (level 2)
    • Painter and decorator (level 2)
    See the 30 open at Level 2
  2. Level 3about the same as A levels

    21 openings across the places we cover9 different apprenticeshipstypically £17,680 a year(middle of 17 advertised)
    • International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
    • Installation and maintenance electrician (level 3)
    • Refrigeration air conditioning and heat pump engineering technician (level 3)
    • Plumbing and domestic heating technician (level 3)
    See the 21 open at Level 3
  3. Level 4about the same as an HNC

    1 opening across the places we cover1 apprenticeship
    • Construction site supervisor (level 4)
    See the one open at Level 4
  4. Level 6about the same as a bachelors degree

    4 openings across the places we cover2 different apprenticeshipstypically £20,000 a year(middle of 4 advertised)
    • Chartered surveyor (degree) (level 6)
    • Supply chain leadership professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
    See the 4 open at Level 6

Levels and apprenticeship standards from the Department for Education Find an apprenticeship service, counted from vacancies open today. Wages are the middle of what employers actually advertised, not a promise about any one job, and they do not always rise with the level: pay depends on the employer and the year as much as the qualification. These are the levels within this line of work, not a guarantee that one apprenticeship leads to the next.

Take the first step

Register and we will match you to local routes into groundworks and plant and tell you exactly which step you are ready for. Want to think it through first? Sign in and ask RORY in the chat at the bottom-right.