SkillPLUMB names Michael as the North’s best young plumber!

The 2013 SkillPLUMB competition has named 22-year old Michael Yuile as the North’s best young plumber following a challenging one-day event at Burnley College on 30 April.

Michael Yuile with BPEC’s Dave Pollard

Michael, an apprentice with Cheshire Building Contractors and studying at Warrington College, came out on top after six competitors went head-to-head on a plumbing task to install a small central heating system. Judges awarded Michael with the most points against tough criteria including accuracy, quality of work and health and safety.

Second place was awarded to Benjamin Whitfield of TD Whitfields and Sons and Leeds College of Building, with the third place slot going to Craig George of Ayre Heating and Plumbing and New College Durham.

Speaking of his win, Michael said: “I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard my name, you’re never sure how well you’ve done so I’m over the moon to have won. And to know I’m the best in the North is an added bonus! Well done to all the other lads as well, and thank you to Warrington College and my employer Cheshire Building Contractors for their help.”

SkillPLUMB has the UK Copper Board as its premier sponsor and is organised by SummitSkills. The highest scoring competitors from the event have the chance to compete at a grand final in November, which is held at The Skills Show at the Birmingham NEC, where they will face competitors from across the UK and strive to be named SkillPLUMB champion.

This year saw the SkillPLUMB Northern heat held alongside partner competitions SkillELECTRIC, SkillFRIDGE and SkillPIPE. SkillBuild, organised by the CITB, was also held at Burnley College on the same date. Neil Collishaw, head of competitions at SummitSkills, said: “This is the first year that all competitions have been held at regional level at the same venue. With SkillBuild also running alongside us, we’ve held the biggest ever regional built environment skills competition event, which is a great achievement. Congratulations to all who took part.”

SkillPLUMB is a feeder route for competitors to potentially go forward and represent their country in 2015 at Brazil at the biennial WorldSkills competition – the world’s largest skills competition.

To find out more about SkillPLUMB visit www.skillplumb.org.uk