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- Tasks: Get hands-on experience in quarry operations while earning a Level 2 apprenticeship.
- Company: Join Breedon, the largest independent construction materials group in the UK.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, with full funding for qualifications and no need for your own equipment.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, operate heavy machinery, and build a career in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: Good level of Maths and English, interest in outdoor work, and a full UK driving licence.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 21258 - 23317 £ per year.
Department: Early Careers
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Potton Quarry, Bedfordshire
Compensation: £21,258 - £23,317 / year
Have you always had that knack for practical, hands-on tasks? Did childhood hobbies see you taking an interest in building and diggers or trucks? Are you often curious about how things are made and why things work?
If so, perhaps working as an operative in a quarry, cement or asphalt site is your career call. Earn as you learn, combining college study for a Level 2 mineral processing operative apprenticeship with industry experience at the largest independent construction materials group in the UK.
Breedon is a home for inquisitive learners. Quarries, cement, and construction are no longer old-fashioned sectors. We’re providing the foundation for our lives, building the places where we live and work, play and in-between.
This role is commutable from:
- Bedford
- Milton Keynes
- Sandy
- Huntingdon
- Cambridge
- Peterborough
- Biggleswade
- St Neots
- Letchworth
Interested in...?
- Being paid to go to college; earn as you learn, without having to ‘work the time back’
- Achieving a Level 2 material processing plant operator apprenticeship qualification
- Full company funding of any fees for qualifications and training
- No need to buy your own kit or any work equipment; it’s all on us
- No shifts, no nights, no weekends; a 40-hour week, with Monday-to-Friday daytime hours
- A competitive salary significantly higher than the national minimum wage for apprentices
- Support from a community of apprentices; a collaborative and comprehensive induction
- A huge variety of potential career progression pathways at a stable, thriving business
As an Apprentice operative, you’ll support the vital need to uphold quarry and cement site production. You’ll be loading trucks with rocks, stone, sand, and gravel and driving some of the large yellow machinery such as a loading shovel. You will be maintaining machinery such as the loading shovel by ensuring it is well greased, dust free and reporting any defects. You will get involved in maintaining a tidy site to keep everyone safe and ensuring machinery doesn’t get damaged.
The 18 month programme with the National Skills and Safety Park near Mansfield will consist of face to face workshops and practical plant training, as well as completing workbooks and e-learning modules. You will attend the training centre 2 days a month for approximately 9 months. The cost of travel, accommodation and meals will be covered by Breedon.
If you’re one to tiptoe around puddles with trepidation, maybe this role isn’t for you. You won’t be spending every day in a clean, corporate office swivelling on an office chair! If you have a natural affinity with the great outdoors, in all weathers, then now we’re talking!
Qualifications:
- Good level of Maths and English, grade E/3 at minimum or national 4s
- An interest in working in the great outdoors.
- Someone who wants to get stuck in and work as part of a team.
- A full UK driving license
- Aged 18+
In joining us, you won’t be thrown in the deep end or treated like just a number; you’ll work in a close-knit team, with someone always on hand to offer help.
Why Breedon?
Here’s what one of our existing employees want to tell you… Jorden, a Mobile Plant Operative based in Longwater, East Anglia.
“I didn’t need any previous experience within the field and have been given all the help and support that I need to do well within my role. I had gotten to the age where I no longer wanted just a job but a career, and I really feel that I have found that within Breedon. Now I am working in this industry, I can’t imagine wanting to do anything else.”
Additional benefits for this role include:
- Salary - Age 16-20 £21,257.60 per annum, Age 21+ £23,316.80 per annum
- Pension
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays on top
- Share Saver Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Access to our employee benefits platform, giving you discounts on a wide variety of high street shops and brands
- Broad learning opportunities and career progression pathways
Interested? Please apply through the Breedon Group careers portal for Early Careers.
Apprentice Operative in Bedford employer: Breedon Group
Contact Detail:
Breedon Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Operative in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Breedon. Understand their values, what they do, and their commitment to apprenticeships. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Try out some common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your hands-on skills and why you want to work outdoors.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! When you’re in the interview, let your passion for practical tasks and the outdoors shine through. Talk about any relevant hobbies or experiences that demonstrate your interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Operative in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for hands-on work! Share any relevant hobbies or experiences that highlight your interest in practical tasks, like building or operating machinery. This will help us understand why you're a great fit for the Apprentice Operative role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your skills and experiences that align with the responsibilities of the role, such as teamwork and outdoor work. We want to see how you can contribute to our quarry and cement site!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through the Breedon Group careers portal for Early Careers. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Breedon Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on the basics of quarry operations and machinery. Familiarise yourself with terms like 'mineral processing' and 'loading shovel'. Showing that you understand the role will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Your Passion for Hands-On Work
Since this role is all about practical tasks, be ready to share examples from your past where you've enjoyed working with your hands. Whether it’s a school project or a hobby, let them know how much you love getting stuck in!
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship programme and career progression opportunities. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to learn more about what they offer.
✨Be Yourself and Stay Positive
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but remember to be yourself! Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude. The team at Breedon values personality just as much as skills, so let your genuine interest shine through.
