Estates Engineering Management - Register your interest

Applications for 2027 scheme entry will open in September 2026.

Start your journey in Estates Engineering Management (EEM)

The NHS relies on safe, efficient and resilient buildings and infrastructure to deliver care every day. As an Estates Engineering Management (EEM) trainee, you'll help manage and develop the environments that enable healthcare services to operate safely, effectively and sustainably.

From hospitals and community facilities to critical engineering systems and major infrastructure projects, NHS estates teams play a vital role in supporting patient care. Estates Engineering Management professionals are responsible for ensuring buildings, engineering systems and facilities remain safe, compliant and fit for the future.

Throughout the Scheme, you'll develop technical, operational and leadership skills while gaining experience across a range of NHS estates and engineering functions. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, applying engineering principles to real-world challenges and helping to shape the future of healthcare infrastructure.

On placement, you could be involved in:

• Managing the day-to-day operation of healthcare buildings and engineering services.
• Supporting engineering compliance and assurance across critical systems.
• Delivering capital development and infrastructure projects.
• Improving energy efficiency, sustainability and Net Zero performance.
• Using digital technologies and estates data to enhance operational performance.
• Supporting maintenance and lifecycle planning of essential infrastructure.
• Working with clinical, operational and contractor teams to improve services.
• Contributing to projects that directly support patient safety and healthcare delivery.

This is an opportunity to build a career that combines engineering, leadership and public service while helping create the environments in which healthcare happens.

Qualifications

As an Estates Engineering Management trainee, you'll work towards a Masters in Building Services Engineering as part of your professional development.

The EEM pathway is a 2.5-year programme, combining paid NHS employment, postgraduate study, workplace placements and leadership development.

This combination of academic study with practical workplace experience enables you to apply your learning directly to the challenges of managing NHS estates and engineering services.

Areas of learning may include:

• Building services engineering.
• Healthcare engineering systems.
• Infrastructure and capital project delivery.
• Engineering compliance and assurance.
• Sustainability and Net Zero programmes.
• Digital estates technologies and data systems.
• Leadership and operational management.

Alongside your academic studies, you'll participate in the NHS Rosalind Franklin Leadership Development Programme, designed to help you understand, develop and apply your personal leadership style.

The programme combines:

• Residential and conference-style learning experiences.
• Virtual workshops.
• Small-group development activities.
• Action Learning Sets.
• Networking and leadership events.

You'll learn alongside fellow trainees and gain insights from leaders across healthcare, engineering, infrastructure and other sectors.

Teaching takes place during working hours, although trainees should expect to complete coursework and revision independently alongside their role. 

Career path

Our Estates Engineering Management trainees will be equipped to progress into a wide range of estates, engineering and infrastructure leadership roles across the NHS, including:

• Estates Officer.
• Estates Manager.
• Engineering Manager.
• Technical Services Manager.
• Compliance Manager.
• Operational Engineering Team Leader.
• Deputy Head of Estates.

With further experience, progression opportunities may include Associate Director of Estates, Deputy Director of Estates and Director of Estates roles.

The Scheme also supports longer-term professional development towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. 

Support and development

We're looking for leadership potential. To help you achieve yours, every trainee receives comprehensive support throughout the Scheme.

This includes:

• A Trainee Support Manager (TSM), providing pastoral and wellbeing support throughout your time on the Scheme.
• An Education Officer, supporting your academic journey and professional development.
• A Placement Manager for each placement, acting as your day-to-day line manager.
• A Programme Manager who oversees your overall progression and competency development.
• A trainee Buddy from a previous cohort who can share their experience, advice and support.

You'll also benefit from the wider GMTS network, including fellow trainees, alumni, NHS leaders, university tutors and professional experts who will help support your development and future career.