Apprenticeship overview
Our Groundworker apprenticeship is delivered through our unique site-like training hubs with a syllabus front-loaded to home building requirements.
You will first undergo 2 weeks of intensive hands-on training at our training hubs, after which you will be ready to go on site, health and safety aware and with sufficient basic skills to positively contribute from day one.
As an apprentice, you will return to the training hub every 5-6 weeks for blocks of intensive learning. With training block delivery all year round (not restricted to term times), you can complete this apprenticeship within 18 months.
Why study for an apprenticeship with NHBC?
Trusted by the trade
Our relationship with builders gives us a strong understanding of the sector's needs and many large building firms have signed up their apprentices to this year’s cohorts.
Taught by construction experts
NHBC apprenticeships are delivered by our fully qualified, experienced trainers who use their construction and training expertise to develop apprentices.
Focused on quality
We are a market-leading, trusted brand with a core purpose to improve construction quality. We support the Government’s ambitions to create high-quality jobs for the future and develop a talented and skilled workforce.
Designed by the industry
We have a long track record in providing bespoke training for builders. Our apprenticeships have been created specifically for the house-building industry in conjunction with leading national house builders.
What you will learn
The first 2 weeks are practical sessions held at our training hub.
The hub resembles a site compound with a large covered central slab for all practical work providing comparable site working conditions. With each day running from 8:00 to 16:30, this initial two-week period will be equivalent to a third of a traditional yearly day release programme.
By week 3 you will return to your employer, health and safety aware and able to carry out some paving techniques. Following this, the remaining blocks will cover these tasks that mirror the pattern of delivery on site:
- systems of safe working
- setting out, buried services and ironworks
- construction methods, drawings and communicating with others
- gauging, mixing, placing, compacting and finishing construction mortars and concrete (kerbing and shuttering)
- working in confined spaces, trenches and temporary works
- installing drainage and ducting
- reinstating excavations and ground surface finishes
- installing geomembranes.
Entry requirements
Apprentices will need to achieve Level 1 English and maths and take the test for level 2 prior to taking their end-point assessment. Please discuss this with your employer.
Eligibility
You must be:
- 16 or over by the end of the school summer holidays
- living in UK
- not in full-time education
- in current employment in a relevant role
- meet all the entry/eligibility requirements.
Intake dates
| Tamworth | Spaces Remaining |
| Currently there are no available dates | N/A |
| Newcastle | Spaces Remaining |
| 20 October 2025 | 18 |
| Cambridge | Spaces Remaining |
| Currently there are no available dates | N/A |
| Hull | Spaces Remaining |
| 25 August 2025 | 15 |
Apprenticeship resources
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss employing an apprentice
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