The 2016 SkillPLUMB competition has named 22 year old Gareth Jones from Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training and D B Lewis & Son, UK champion after excelling in an intensive three day practical exercise at the Birmingham NEC Skills Show.
Closely watched by judges and over 75,000 visitors to the show, Gareth and his fellow finalists had to install a small sealed domestic central heating system with expansion vessel, pump and ancillary equipment, inclusive of three small bespoke radiators, a simulated hot water cylinder and a boiler mounting jig together with associated copper pipework.
The task had to be completed within a strict timeframe and was marked against tough criteria including joint quality, bend angles and clearance and measuring and marking out, which had to be accurate within + / – 2mm.
Taking second place and a silver medal was 21 year old Ben Randoll of Bridgwater College and Handiheat. Third place and a bronze medal went to 22 year old David Blewett, from Moray College UHI and Phil Bird ZETGAS.
All finalists received prizes including a BPEC gas training manual, tools, CIPHE Membership donated by competition sponsors, workwear including safety boots and vouchers alongside a competition medallion and certificate.
The gold and silver medalists will also get the opportunity to take part in the Grundfos Installer Championship, being held at the ISH trade exhibition next year in Frankfurt. This will be a fantastic experience courtesy of Grundfos to test their skills against competitors from 20 different countries on an international stage.
Speaking after his win, Gareth Jones said: “Nothing beats the feeling of a job well done, and winning this competition was brilliant. I wouldn’t be here without the support of my employer, and everything I learnt at my training centre. This has given me a real boost and I want to make sure that I keep learning and improving my skills.”
Neil Collishaw of BPEC, the organiser of SkillPLUMB, commented: “This year we had a superb set of tasks, which really tested and challenged the finalists. We are very proud of all the competitors – they are excellent ambassadors for the industry and brilliant role models for other young people who are considering a career in our sector.
“Over the three days we had an excellent turnout of visitors who were all really impressed with the standards of skill on display at our stand.”
The Skills Show is the nation’s largest skills and careers event, where SkillPLUMB was just one of 60 different competitions taking place.
SkillPLUMB has the Initiative Copper as its premier sponsor and is also supported by APHC, Altecnic, Aqualisa, Brian Hyde Ltd, CIPHE, EAL, EAS Mechanical, Grundfos, JIB-PMES, LA-CO, Monument Tools, SNIPEF and Worcester Bosch.
