An enthusiastic audience of some 220 people attended the Student Awards Dinner organised by the Kent Branch of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). This included students, lecturers, sponsors and branch members.

Owen O’Neill, Kent branch president welcomed everyone and told the students it was their night: “You have earned the right to be here, we recognise your achievements and salute you.”

Other special guests included CIPHE president Terry Stephenson and Richard Soper CBE. Mr Soper delivered an inspiring motivational speech, praised the students’ achievements and told them that anything is possible if they put in the work and seize their opportunities.

Mr Stephenson, in his closing address, emphasised the importance of an apprenticeship as a foundation to those entering the industry and a springboard to continual learning as their careers evolved.