SNIPEF pays tribute to cohort of award-winning plumbing apprentices
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Plumbing and heating sector trade body the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) marked World Plumbing Day yesterday by highlighting the young people who represent the industry’s future.
(from left) Cameron Clark – Dundee & Angus College – James Lammond Ltd, (Brechin); Sam Henderson – Tullos Training – Derek Scott Plumbing & Heating (Daies Insch); Fiona Hodgson, chief executive at SNIPEF; Kyle McGeoghie – Perth College UHI - William Combe & Son Ltd, (Auchterarder); Connor Cruden – Moray College UHI - Cowie Plumbing & Heating, (Turiff); Alexander Clouston – Inverness College UHI – Pipedream Plumbing Ltd (Kirkwall)
The member organisation has tirelessly advocated the value of apprenticeships in sustaining quality and professionalism in this vitally important sector as well as creating a pipeline of continually improving skillsets.
And, as the international event initiated by the World Plumbing Council celebrates the role plumbing plays in societal health and welfare, SNIPEF has paid tribute to a number of young trainee craftsmen who have proved that they are ready to take on the best in the world.
The organisation pointed to the successes of Moray College student Connor Cruden, 19, from Cowie Plumbing and Heating, who took home a gold medal from last year’s WorldSkills UK competition held over three challenging days in Birmingham.
He was joined by Perth College student Kyle McGeoghie, 21, from William Combe and Son who took the silver, Inverness College student Alexander Clouston, from Pipedream Plumbing, Tullos Training Ltd student Sam Henderson from Derek Scott Plumbing & Heating and Dundee & Angus College student Cameron Clark of James Lammond Ltd.
(from left) Gordon Nisbet – Perth College UHI – lecturer; Kyle McGeoghie – William Combe & Son Ltd, (Auchterarder); Connor Cruden – Cowie Plumbing & Heating, (Turiff) and Jim MacKinnon – Moray College UHI – lecturer
WorldSkills UK is a partnership between businesses, education and government designed to accelerate young people’s careers.
SNIPEF chief executive, Fiona Hodgson, said: “On this day, it is fitting to recognise the skills, dedication and enthusiasm of the talented apprentices who are working towards a fulfilling and rewarding career in the plumbing and heating industry.
“Their skills are the foundation for the future of our industry and they are a credit to the lecturers who teach them and the forward-thinking employers who provide them with training on the job.”
Connor and Sam are now eligible for selection to the squad that will be narrowed down to Team UK and will compete at the international WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 in China.
Connor said: “WorldSkills UK was really good fun. All the competitors got on really well and we’re good friends now. If anyone is thinking about entering the next competition, I’d definitely advise them to do it.”
World Plumbing Day allows people from the plumbing fraternity to come together to learn, share knowledge, build connections and find opportunities to collaborate to improve the quality of, and access to, fresh water and safe sanitation.
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