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Apprentice Plumber | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job details
Posting date: 18 June 2025
Salary: Not specified
Additional salary information: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 20 July 2025
Location: Luton, LU4 0DZ
Company: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job type: Apprenticeship
Job reference: 7260835/418-EST0835-PN

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Summary


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.

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.

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.

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.


This advert closes on Friday 4 Jul 2025

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