Job overview

Are you practically minded, hands-on, and eager to build a career in plumbing? Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is offering a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Estates and Facilities Team as a Plumbing Apprentice.

This apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with formal training through a recognised qualification (e.g., Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician or equivalent).  You’ll gain valuable experience working within a hospital environment, supporting the maintenance and installation of essential plumbing systems critical to healthcare operations.

As a Plumbing Apprentice, you will help ensure the Trust’s water systems, drainage, sanitation, heating, and ventilation services are safe, efficient, and compliant with health and safety and infection control regulations. 

This is an exciting opportunity to begin your career in a rewarding and secure sector.

Main duties of the job

As a Plumbing Apprentice, you will work under the supervision of qualified plumbers, estates officers, and maintenance engineers, gaining valuable hands-on experience while developing the skills and knowledge.

Your main duties will include:

Assisting with Plumbing Maintenance:
Support the maintenance, repair, testing, and installation of plumbing systems across the hospital estate.

Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM):
Participate in routine inspections and servicing of plumbing fixtures, valves, pipework, and water systems to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Responding to Reactive Tasks:
Support the team in responding to plumbing-related faults, leaks, blockages, and emergency repairs in a safe and timely manner.

Learning and Development:
Attend college  as part of your formal apprenticeship programme (e.g., Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician), and complete all coursework, assessments, and on-the-job training activities as required.

Health & Safety Compliance:
Follow all relevant health and safety protocols, including the correct use of PPE, adherence to risk assessments.

Record Keeping and Documentation:
Assist with the accurate completion of maintenance records, service reports, and compliance documentation.

Teamwork and Communication:
Work collaboratively with Estates and Facilities colleagues, clinical teams, and external contractors. Communicate clearly and professionally to support the delivery of a safe and efficient hospital environment.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.