Go back Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Apprentice Plumber
The closing date is 04 July 2025
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.
About us
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.
Job responsibilities
1. Plumbing Maintenance and Repairs
Assist with the maintenance, repair, and installation of hot and cold water systems, heating systems, waste systems, and associated plant and equipment.
Learn to diagnose and repair leaks, blockages, valve faults, and other plumbing-related issues in clinical and non-clinical areas.
Support the replacement of taps, pipework, WC components, sinks, and sanitary ware.
2. Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
Participate in routine inspections, testing, and servicing of plumbing systems to NHS technical standards and statutory guidelines (e.g. L8 for Legionella control).
Support flushing of infrequently used outlets, checking temperatures, and maintaining safe water systems across hospital buildings.
3. Emergency and Reactive Works
Respond promptly and safely to urgent call-outs such as water leaks, drainage issues, or plant failures to minimise disruption to hospital operations.
Assist in assessing the cause of failure and contribute to implementing temporary or permanent solutions.
4. Health, Safety, and Compliance
Comply with all relevant Trust health and safety policies and Safe Systems of Work.
Learn to conduct and follow risk assessments, method statements, and infection prevention control procedures.
Understand and apply best practices in water hygiene and management, including awareness of Legionella risks.
5. Training and Development
Attend college or training provider sessions as required by the apprenticeship standard.
Complete all coursework, logbooks, and practical assessments on time and to the required standard.
Demonstrate continual improvement and a proactive attitude towards developing plumbing skills and NHS-specific knowledge.
6. Record Keeping and Administration
Assist in maintaining accurate records of work carried out using both written and electronic systems (e.g., CAFM).
Learn how to record compliance tasks and contribute to audit readiness for statutory inspections.
7. Teamwork and Communication
Work collaboratively with Estates and Facilities staff, clinical teams, contractors, and the wider Trust.
Communicate in a clear, polite, and professional manner with staff, patients, and visitors.
Attend and participate in team briefings, toolbox talks, and training sessions.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* GCSE Qualifications to include Maths and English at Grade 5 / C or above (or equivalent)
* Knowledge of building services
Knowledge
* General Mechanical and Electrical knowledge
* Basic engineering skills using hand/power tools
Skills
* Highly motivated
* Organisational skills and ability to stick to deadlines
* Strong desire to learn new skills
* Able to use hand tools
Personal Development
* Demonstrates ability to learn new technology and ways of working
* Participates in audits
Communication
* Communicating routine information with colleagues or clients
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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