SkillPIPE Awards

Oct 12 2009

BEST one, two and three at the inaugural SkillPIPE UK Final 2009

BEST learners filled the first three places at the UK SkillPIPE competition, recently held at Leeds College of Building and organised by SummitSkills.

The competition features the best mechanical and electrical engineers sought from within the building services sector and took place from the 29^thSeptember to 1^st October 2009.

SkillPIPE follows on from the existing SkillME competition which covers Plumbing, Electrical and Refrigeration, all of which feed into the upcoming Skill Olympics to be held in London in 2011. At present SummitSkills are working hard to try to secure SkillPIPE as a demonstration event in 2011.

John Clark was crowned the first ever winner of the SkillPIPE competition narrowly piping Nick Lester (SES) as first runner up in a very close competitive competition, with Ian Tattersall (Thermal Transfer Ltd) as second runner up.

Michael Smith (Lorne Stewart) was another finalist narrowly missing out on a top three spot.

In getting to the finals the contestants had to qualify via the regional semi finals from a group of 16 talented individuals. In qualifying via the semi finals the contestants had scored highly in practical installations, with pipe fitting, welding and a theory test, all within strict time limits.

The judging panel was organised by SummitSkills, who monitored the competition over the three day event.

Out of the five finalists, four had undertaken their apprenticeships with BEST with three then filling the top winning positions.

John Clark said of the competition “I was very nervous to start with, but as the competition progressed I felt comfortable with the challenges posed and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience”.

An award ceremony was held at the end of the competition, where all competitors were commended on the standard of work and commitment through out the event. The competitors were presented with their awards by Ian Billyard (Principal Leeds College of Building) and John Miller (Managing Director J H Shouksmith and past HVCA President).