Engineering Fitter Apprentice

BEDFORD PUMPS LTD

Kempston (MK42 7UH)

Closes in 12 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)

Posted on 23 June 2026


Summary

Bedford Pumps in Kempston are seeking two motivated and enthusiastic Engineering Fitter Apprentices to join their team. This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about engineering and committed to building a long-term career in the industry.

Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 7:30am to 4:00pm. Friday, 7:30am to 12 Noon (30 minute unpaid lunch break).

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 10 August 2026

Duration

3 years 9 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Bedford Pumps is a leading specialist in bespoke and engineered pumping solutions. With an experienced in-house design team, dedicated test facilities, and full project management capabilities, the company delivers complete pumping solutions from concept through to installation and ongoing support. Bedford Pumps is committed to providing customers with a lifetime service, ensuring their products continue to perform reliably long after installation.

As a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice, you will gain hands-on experience in the assembly and manufacture of large-scale, bespoke engineered pumps used in a wide range of critical industries. Working alongside skilled engineers, you will develop practical mechanical skills while contributing to the production of specialist equipment designed to solve complex water management challenges.

The pumps manufactured by Bedford Pumps are used in essential applications such as flood defence, land drainage, water treatment, wastewater management, dock operations, and recreational water facilities. Some of these pumps are capable of moving up to 20,000 litres of water per second, helping to protect communities and infrastructure from major flooding events.

Environmental responsibility is a key part of the company's work. Bedford Pumps designs and manufactures fish-friendly pumping systems that support aquatic wildlife conservation and comply with environmental legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable fish species.

Within the water and wastewater sectors, you will work on equipment used for drinking water systems, where strict quality standards must be met, as well as high-capacity wastewater pumps designed to handle demanding operating conditions and large solids efficiently.

You may also be involved in projects supporting dock dewatering systems for the shipping industry and specialist watercourse installations, including facilities used for white-water kayaking and other recreational water sports.

This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to develop engineering knowledge, practical workshop skills, and industry experience while working on innovative projects that make a real difference to communities, the environment, and critical infrastructure.

Where you'll work

Brooklands
Woburn Road Industrial Estate
Kempston
MK42 7UH

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BEDFORD COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering fitter (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.

Training schedule

  • Level 3 Engineering Fitter
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths if required

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Punctual
  • Work well in a team

Other requirements

Travel arrangements should be carefully considered, as this role requires an early start.

Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of the Bedford College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team if they meet the initial criteria as part of the recruitment process. Only Candidates who have fully completed the application will be considered. Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.

About this employer

We are a flexible, highly experienced British manufacturer of robust pumping plant for the water and wastewater industry,as well as one of the few UK pump manufacturers with an entirely British supply chain. Our pumps are built onsite to meet demanding specifications relating to reliability, performance and environmental regulations.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

On successful completion of this apprenticeship, there is huge potential for a long term career with Bedford Pumps.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEDFORD COLLEGE

Ramona Stevens

jobenquiries@justapply.co.uk

01234 291000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038607.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.