The 2011 SkillPIPE competition has named the finalists who will compete in September to be named its UK champion.
First through to the final was
Joe Ogle who won top place in a semi-final event that took place at Salford City College. Mr Ogle, employed by Bailey Building Services and trained by the NG Bailey Engineering Academy, scored the highest in two challenges set.
The first task was to install Friatherm pipework to a pre-installed double pump set with components and gauges; the second was to weld various sized pipework in numerous positions to a high standard.
Judges awarded Mr Ogle with the most points against tough criteria including accuracy, quality of work, installation, pressure test criteria and health and safety.
After his win, he said: 'It's brilliant to have won - it was quite difficult but I just had to do my best. I've also really enjoyed meeting all the other lads and sharing experiences - thank you to my employer and college for supporting me along the way.'
The successful candidates that will be joining Mr Ogle to battle it out for the SkillPIPE title are;
Paul McNally of Bailey Building Services/NG Bailey Engineering Academy,
Stuart Eden of SES Ltd/Leeds College of Building,
Christopher Lindsay of James Brown Mechanical Services/Cambridge Regional College,
Colin Webster of SPIE Matthew Hall/BEST Scotland and
Dean Cameron Express Heating Co/BEST Scotland/Telford College.
The competition has the HVCA as its premier sponsor and is organised by SummitSkills. Neil Collishaw of SummitSkills, said: 'The standard of work so far has been extremely high across all candidates - congratulations to Joe for his achievement so far and good luck to all the finalists.'
The UK final will be held on 14-16 September at Leeds College of Building where the SkillPIPE event will take place alongside the UK finals of SkillELECTRIC, SkillPLUMB, SkillFRIDGE and SkillBuild, in a joint event that will see around 150 trainees competing in front of hundreds of visitors.
For more information on SkillPIPE visit:
www.skillpipe.org.uk
