The HIP! National Apprentice Plumber of the Year 2015 returned to Cheltenham manufacturer, ADEY Professional Heating Solutions, last week for its two-day grand final.
The nationwide competition organised by Heating Installers and Plumbers (HIP) UK supports apprentices entering the plumbing trade. Hosted at ADEY’s Training and Conference Centre for the second time, the competition brought together seven winners of the competition’s regional heats to compete for the annual title.
The finalists were up against the clock to install a shower cubicle, toilet and macerator, boiler rig, pipework, radiators and an ADEY MagnaClean Professional2 magnetic filter. Their skills were judged by CIPHE national competition, Judge Tony Kite; HIP Magazine managing editor and event organiser, Celia Matthews; and representatives from Saniflo.
The judges crowned Tanagon Ashworth, from Accrington and Rossendale College, the winner. Seb Zornoza from Bridgwater College was highly commended as runner-up.
ADEY chief executive, Kelvin Stevens, said: “It was a very close competition, each of the apprentices did a fantastic job under pressure. They made it incredibly difficult for the judges to pick a winner this year as the standard of work was so high.
“It’s been an honour to host the event at our training centre again and we’re really pleased to be supporting the next generation of plumbing and heating engineers, helping them to understand the importance and benefits of following industry best practice.”