The winners of SkillPLUMB 2022 have been announced, following a two-day final event at Middlesborough College. The Gold Medal went to Ruben Duggan employed by Powerserv Ltd and trained by Coleg y Cymoedd, pictured (second from right) with the other finalists and Nic Drew of main sponsor Monument Tools (centre).
The Silver Medal winner was Sean Esslemont from McDonald & Munro Ltd, UHI Moray College and SNIPEF, while Bronze went to Royal Engineer Thomas Bentley from Mid Kent College. In addition, finalist Charlie Oliver of Shrewsbury College and Bishton & Cowles Plumbing & Heating received a Medallion of Excellence.
Over the two-day practical exercise, each finalist had to install a small sealed domestic central heating system with expansion vessel, pump, and ancillary equipment, inclusive of piped radiators, an unvented hot water cylinder and boiler (donated by Worcester Bosch) 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 measuring and marking out, which had to be accurate within +/- 2mm.
All finalists received several prizes including two BPEC training manuals, CIPHE membership, cash vouchers, and tools and products donated by the competition sponsors, alongside a SkillPLUMB framed certificate. Main sponsor Monument Tools provided all the finalists with a Pipe Bending Machine and McAlpine Plumbing products supplied knee pads, which were all used during the competition.
Earlier this year, Ruben also won the accolade of HIP Learner of the Year and, speaking after his latest success, says: “I’d been training since the HIP competition as I knew I had to really think about what I was going to do. The SkillPLUMB finals were challenging and very technical. We had to carefully follow drawings and knew the judges would be looking for accuracy with angles and bending.”
Speaking on behalf of competition organisers BPEC, CEO Neil Collishaw says: “Ruben had a fantastic approach, and attention to detail, and performed brilliantly over the two days of competition. The standard of work this year was exceptional, with very little difference between all the competitors. We’re so proud of all the finalists. It’s challenging for them to work under pressure during the competition, and the years leading up to this event have been especially difficult due to the pandemic. All the finalists are excellent ambassadors for the industry and brilliant role models for other young people who are considering a career in the plumbing and heating industry.”
BPEC would like to thank the sponsors for their continued support and look forward to SkillPLUMB 2023.
