TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Career growth SPOTLIGHT ON
AIDAN PARKES Decontamination Engineer (Wales) (DE (W)) for NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership Specialist Estates Services (NWSSP-SES)
A
idan Parkes began his professional journey in 2015 with the NHS by joining Cardiff and Vale University Health Board on the Network75 programme, run by the University of South Wales.
The programme is a combined work placement and part-time study route. This five-year journey allowed him to earn a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in Mechanical Engineering, combining academic learning with hands-on experience. The first two years of his degree were spent in the Saint Mary’s Pharmaceutical Unit, north of Cardiff, before he joined NWSSP-SES for the remainder of his studies. Over the course of his studies, Aidan was able to gain a wide range of experience, thanks to the many disciplines covered
by Specialist Estates Services. These included Decontamination, Ventilation, Water, Electrical HV/LV, and Medical Gases. The programme’s structured approach helped him develop a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, which he continues to build upon. After graduating in 2020, he enthusiastically joined the Decontamination team, developing into his current role as a
Decontamination Engineer (DE(W)), supporting the AE(D), John Prendergast, and undertaking testing of decontamination equipment on behalf of the Welsh Government. In this role Aidan has performed annual validations on a range of decontamination equipment across Wales, including porous load sterilisers, washer-disinfectors, laboratory sterilisers, and steam quality testing. The complexity and responsibility of this role was immediately clear, and Aidan says he feels fortunate to have a team of experienced professionals to learn from. As he continues to grow his experience, expertise, and responsibilities, he has become more confident in his ability to handle the demands of the role independently, while still seeking advice and feedback to further his professional development. Mentorship has played a central role in his
In his role as a Decontamination Engineer (DE(W)) Aidan has performed annual validations on a range of decontamination equipment, including porous load sterilisers, washer-disinfectors, laboratory sterilisers, and steam quality testing
professional growth, and he feels extremely grateful for the strong relationships he has
built with both his colleagues and managers. Their ongoing support has enabled him to develop not only his technical skills and knowledge, but also the leadership and communication skills needed to prosper in a professional environment. Aidan has been an IHEEM member since his time as an undergraduate, and is now pleased to be a part of the Institute’s Wales Branch. Branch membership affords him a totally different experience outside his core engineering responsibilities, and on attending meetings, he is able to see the workings of the Institute from an organisational perspective. The Branch contributes to various initiatives that promote the professional development of others within the engineering community, while also allowing Aidan to expand his network and learn from peers in different areas of the industry. He is eager to pursue further development, and is aiming to join the AE(D) framework, with the goal of becoming an IHEEM registered AE(D). “I’m constantly learning, and I’m proud of the fact that my growth as a decontamination engineer is a direct result of the collaborative and supportive environment fostered by my team,” he explains.
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April 2025 Health Estate Journal 13
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