Cardonald host SNIPEF plumbing competition
19 June 2012
Plumbing apprentices from across Scotland took part in the prestigious Scottish Regional SkillPlumb Competition, held at Cardonald College Glasgow on 15 and 16 June 2012. First place was won by Shaun MacPhail, an apprentice plumber from Ayr College; second place was won by Alex Oswald from Perth College, whilst Tyrone Oakley from Dundee College took third prize. Shaun MacPahil also won the prize for best cooper work, whilst Tyrone Oakley won the best lead work trophy.
The competition, which is in its 37th year is organised annually by SNIPEF, the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation, attracted apprentice plumbers from 14 Colleges and Training Centres across Scotland, where the Plumbing SVQ Level 3 qualification is taught.
The competition combines both practical exercises and theoretical tests which, SNIPEF President, Fraser Lawrence, described as "very valuable, being designed to test competitors in exactly the kinds of skills a modern plumbing professional needs to have."
The competition consisted of two workshop exercises, a copper pipework exercise and a lead bossing and forming exercise, followed by a multiple choice exam paper on aspects of plumbing and heating work. Materials used in the exercises were donated by leading industry suppliers Plumb Center and 1st Supplies/Calder Lead.
SNIPEF was represented at the Prizegiving by the organisation's Vice President, Raymond Leslie, who commented: "As always, this SkillPlumb competition has enabled entrants to demonstrate the very high level of skills they have acquired during their Modern Apprenticeship. I congratulate them all, particularly, of course, the very worthy winners. I also pay tribute to their employers, who continue to support the industry Apprenticeship Scheme, even in these tough economic times."
Mr Leslie concluded "Plumbing is a career for life and is a career increasingly focused on micro-renewable technologies including solar panels and heat pumps; the excellent training received through the Modern Apprentice Scheme has never been more important"
Prizes were donated by Worcester Bosch and Plumb Center and were presented by Jason Reid, Area Sales Manager (West of Scotland) Plumb and Parts Center in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Jason said "We are delighted once more to support this very worthwhile competition and warmly congratulate the winners. Apprentices like these represent the future of our industry and we welcome this opportunity to help celebrate their professionalism."
