Formworker
Level 2 · IntermediateConstruction and the built environment 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Formworker apprenticeship trains you to construct the temporary mould systems - known as formwork or shuttering - into which concrete is poured on construction sites, forming the structure of buildings, bridges, and civil engineering works. You will develop skills in carpentry, erecting complex formwork systems, and reading structural drawings. This standard leads to senior formworker, gang leader, or structural concrete specialist roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Types of formwork systems - traditional timber and proprietary
Reading structural engineering drawings and specifications
Safe erection and striking of formwork
Loads, pressures, and structural principles in formwork design
Health and safety on construction sites including working at height
Use of carpentry tools and power tools
Concrete properties and requirements for successful pours
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Erect formwork systems for walls, columns, beams, and slabs
Set out and align formwork accurately to drawings
Fix steel reinforcement within formwork as required
Strike and dismantle formwork safely after concrete cures
Inspect formwork for defects before concrete is poured
Work safely at height on falsework and access systems
Maintain and clean formwork panels and equipment
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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