The SkillPLUMB competition 2016 has named 22-year-old Gareth Jones from Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training and D B Lewis & Son, UK champion after excelling in an intensive three-day practical exercise at the Birmingham NEC Skills Show.
Closely watched by judges and over 75,000 visitors to the show, Gareth and his fellow finalists had to install a small sealed domestic central heating system with expansion vessel, pump and ancillary equipment, inclusive of three small bespoke radiators, a simulated hot water cylinder, a boiler mounting jig together with associated copper pipework.
The task had to be completed within a strict timeframe and was marked against tough criteria including joint quality, bend angles and clearance and measuring and marking out, which had to be accurate within + / – 2mm.
Taking second place and a silver medal was 21-year-old Ben Randoll of Bridgwater College and Handiheat. Third place and a bronze medal went to 22-year-old David Blewett, from Moray College UHI and Phil Bird ZETGAS.
All finalists received prizes including a BPEC gas training manual, tools and CIPHE membership donated by competition sponsors, workwear including safety boots and vouchers alongside a competition medallion and certificate.
The gold medalist will also get the opportunity to take part in the Grundfos Installer Championship, being held at the ISH trade exhibition next year in Frankfurt.