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A groundworker plays a big part on most building sites. Before walls go up or roofs are put on, the ground has to be ready. That is the groundworker's job. On many sites, they are some of the first people to start work. They are also often there near the end to finish things off.
The work is not just digging. A groundworker may set out foundations, lay drainage, or put in kerbs and paving. There is often concrete work too. A lot of the job is about getting the site ready for other trades. This helps everyone else do their work in the right way and at the right time.
No two sites are the same. One day you might be working on a house. Another day it could be a road or a bigger job. Because of this, the work can change from week to week. Some days are heavy work. Other days need more care and close checks on levels and lines.
The groundworker role is important for a simple reason. If the ground work is wrong, problems show up later. Water may not drain right. Paths or roads may sink. Fixing these problems costs time and money. Doing the job right at the start helps the whole build go more smoothly.
This page explains what a groundworker does and what the job is like. It looks at the kind of work you can expect and the skills you will need. If you are thinking about a job in groundworks, this should help you see if it is right for you.
Groundworking is high risk work. It often involves open excavations, moving plant, underground services, and heavy materials. Because of this, safety and site rules are not optional extras. They are a core part of the groundworker's job.
Excavation work, in particular, needs proper planning and regular checks. Trenches and excavations can collapse, edges can give way, and conditions can change with the weather or with nearby work. A competent person should inspect supports, edges, and ground conditions at the start of shifts and at other agreed times. If an excavation is not safe, work should stop until the problem is fixed. No amount of progress is worth the risk of someone getting hurt.
Under CDM 2015 guidance, workers have clear responsibilities on site. You must follow site rules, cooperate with supervisors and managers, and report hazards or unsafe conditions. You should only carry out work that you are trained and competent to do, or work that is being properly supervised. This applies whether you are using tools, working near plant, or dealing with services in the ground.
In practice, this is what safety and compliance usually look like on site:
A good groundworker does not just get the job done. They also help make sure the job is done safely, in a way that protects themselves, their workmates, and everyone else on site.
The Groundworker Job role is crucial in all construction projects. Groundworkers are usually the first workers to set foot on site and the last. The groundworker role prepares everything on the ground ready for other professionals to start constructing the building or project itself. This essential role in the construction industry is very diverse and has many different duties and responsibilities dependant on the specific role.
This page will give you an overview of what a Groundworker is and what they do and hopefully answer any questions you may have on your search for a Groundworks job and career.
A Groundworker is a construction professional who mainly prepares the ground before, during and after other construction workers can do their duties. Groundworkers are often the first and the last workers to set foot on site as they prepare the site with drainage, foundations and sub-surfaces. Then Groundworkers finish the site work by laying driveways, footpaths and other finishing touches.
A Groundworkers main responsibility is simple, working with the Ground. This various between specific roles and construction sites but in most cases the Groundworks tasks will be to either prepare the site for the project with drainage, foundations and other vital aspects of the build. Or to finish the site and make it presentable, ready for it's end use.But, What does a Groundworker do?
A Groundworkers main role may include:
There are many possible responsibilities of a Groundworker, our Example Groundworker Job Description describes more below.
In a Groundworker job description, it will discuss the role and any further requirements to get the job. See below, an example of a job description for a Groundworker.
Groundwork in the construction industry will always be available as long as there are construction projects, the phrase 'starting from the Ground upwards' had to come from somewhere. Recruitment agencies provide workers for many companies therefore they will almost always have a role available for you. At RecruitEasy, we advertise most our available roles on our construction and other industry job search. If you can't find a role that's right for you, You can also register for us to find you a role.
To work as a Groundworker on most sites in the construction industry you will need a valid CSCS card, this proves you have the relevant knowledge and training to perform Groundworks safely for yourself and others. This must be in date and legitimate. You can check if your CSCS Card is in date on the card itself or on the citb website's card checker. To get your CSCS card you must complete one of the following criteria:
After obtaining the above, you will also need to pass the CITB Operatives Health, Safety and Environment test within two years before applying to get your CSCS Card from the CSCS website.
The above courses would need to be refreshed every 5 years, however there are some lifetime qualifications that will not need refreshing. Such as the QCF Level 1, SCQF Level 4 and BTEC Level 1, you can check the latest requirements on the CSCS website, which also tell you which specific Health, Safety and Environment test you will need to take.
The purpose of the Construction Safety Certification Scheme (or CSCS) is to certify the specialist and safety knowledge of workers, the required CITB health, safety and environment test will also examine knowledge across a wide range of topics and improve safety and productivity on site. At RecruitEasy, we mostly recruit for companies who required a CSCS card on site, but you can call us or register to check if we have any roles suitable for a non CSCS card labourer.
Experienced Groundworkers often operate plant machinery to perform Groundworks tasks. In order to operate machines on most construction sites you must have the relevant CPCS or NPORS tickets. Some construction sites require you to have a specific ticket, but most sites allow you to have either your CPCS or NPORS card.To find out more information about the construction industry card schemes visit the CITB card schemes page.
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme provides skills and certification cards for the plant and other construction allied sectors. The CPCS management commitee continually review and amend the scheme, taking into account industry feedback, occupational health issues and technological and machine advances.
Groundworks positions may require CPCS tickets, including:
To find out more information about each CPCS ticket category visit the CPCS category PDF.
Groundworks positions may require NPORS tickets, including:
To find out more information about each NPORS ticket category visit the NPORS website.
If you have any questions in your pursuit of a career as a Groundworker don't hesitate to contact us, one of the team would be happy to help.
Our Groundworker jobs get filled very quickly through our database, therefore we often don't have many on our website. Please register below and we can discuss this with you.
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