The SkillPLUMB 2025 UK Champion and gold medal winner has been named as Dillon Newton of the Cornwall College Group, following two and a half days of competition held at Bridgend College where the finalists had to tackle a complex plumbing installation task and also demonstrate low carbon knowledge in a heat pump task.
The event was one of around 40 WorldSkills UK National Finals being held across South Wales, where competitors and their supporters gathered at the WorldSkills UK Medal Ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Newport.
SkillPLUMB is organised by industry charity BPEC and is part of the WorldSkills UK competition framework. The event has Ideal Heating as its headline sponsor and is supported by other industry sponsors including Muller Europe, Monument Tools, DeWalt, McAlpine, APHC, JIB-PMES, SNIPEF, Water Safe and CIPHE.
All finalists received a great range of prizes including a framed certificate and engraved trophy, a BPEC training manual; a Grip+ kit and pipe bending machine from Monument Tools, tool prizes from DeWalt, a goody bag from the APHC and a £50 gift voucher.
Speaking of his win, Dillon said: “It feels absolutely amazing to have won. It was the most nervous I’ve been for a very long time but the entire week was such an incredible experience. I’d really like to thanks Dave Hitchens from my college, he helped me perfect the Monument pipe benders and their measure-backs, and he’s also been really supportive throughout the week and for the four years of my apprenticeship. Also thanks to BPEC and all the SkillPLUMB sponsors for giving myself and the other apprentices the opportunity to showcase their skillset.”
The silver medal was awarded to Jackson Gill of New College Durham and CGE Yorkshire Ltd; while bronze medal went to Jack Fenton of Belfast Metropolitan College and Ian Reid Heating.
Neil Collishaw, CEO of BPEC, said: “Well done to all competitors who displayed some excellent skills over the course of the finals. Our supporters, skills champions and customers were also able to witness their performance firsthand via our VIP event during the week so we’d also like to congratulate the finalists on being fantastic ambassadors for our industry. Thank you also to our host Bridgend College and our sponsors, in particular Ideal Heating for their tremendous support.”
SkillPLUMB is open to plumbing apprentices and Level 2 or 3 plumbing students. Next year’s competition will open in March 2026. To find out more visit www.bpec.org.uk/skillplumb
