Nineteen-year-old Connor Cruden from Moray College UHI and Cowie Plumbing & Heating has been named SkillPLUMB 2019 champion after competing in the final at WorldSkills UK LIVE.
Connor and his fellow seven finalists took part in an intensive three-day practical exercise. They each had to install a small sealed domestic central heating system with expansion vessel, pump and ancillary equipment, inclusive of a radiator, an unvented hot water cylinder, a Worcester Bosch boiler together with associated copper pipework. The task had to be completed within a strict time-frame and was marked against tough criteria.
Second place, and a silver medal, went to 21-year-old Kyle McGeoghie from Perth College UHI and William Combe and Son, with the bronze medal going to 22-year-old Anthony Iacovazzo from City College Norwich and Anglia Gas Services.
The finalists, who had qualified from regional heats throughout the UK, all received prizes including a BPEC training manual, CIPHE membership, tools, and plumbing products donated by competition sponsors Monument Tools, McAlpine, and Grundfos Pumps, together with a competition medallion and certificate. The finalists were provided with workwear for the competition by Dickies.
Gold medallist Connor will get the opportunity to take part in the Grundfos Installer Championship in Italy next year. Connor will also be put forward for selection for the Team UK squad, and he will have the chance to represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2021.
Speaking after his win, Connor said: “The competition has been brilliant and I am really proud to be leaving with the gold medal. It was really challenging working under pressure but I just did my best. It was so exciting when I was announced as the gold medallist. It has been a great experience and I really enjoyed meeting the other finalists. I think I have made friends for life!"
Neil Collishaw, BPEC Chief Executive, commented: “We are so proud of all of the finalists. It is so challenging for them to work under such pressure, especially with the visitors to the show watching them at work. The standard of work this year has been exceptional. The finalists are all excellent ambassadors for the industry and brilliant role models for other young people who are considering a plumbing career."
If you'd like to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the heating and plumbing industry, why not subscribe to our weekly newsletters? Just click the button below and you can ensure all the latest industry news and new product information lands in your inbox every week.