SkillPLUMB finalists compete for a place at WorldSkills Shanghai 2022

SkillPLUMB 2019 finalists, Connor Cruden and Sam Henderson are nearing the latter stages of the WorldSkills UK squad selection. They will compete at the final event in Northern Ireland at the end of April, to decide which one of them will take part in WorldSkills Shanghai 2022.

Connor from Moray College and Cowie Plumbing & Heating, and Sam from Tullos Training and Derek Scott Plumbing & Heating both came through the Scottish regional SkillPLUMB 2019 competition. They are SNIPEF plumbing apprentices, therefore ‘earning while they are learning’, and formed part of the highest scoring eight competitors from all the UK-wide heats in that competition cycle to progress to the UK final at the Skills Show in Birmingham, with Connor winning the Gold Medal that year. 

All eligible SkillPLUMB UK finalists can be considered for the next stage which is the biannual WorldSkills competition. Due to the pandemic, WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 was postponed by one year to allow for all member countries to recalibrate their competition activity, and the 46^th WorldSkills Competition is now taking place in Shanghai, 12-17 October 2022.

Since 2019 both Connor and Sam have improved their skills even further, mentored and coached by Ronnie Ferris, the WorldSkills UK (WSUK) Plumbing Training Manager. Ronnie has helped them to hone their skills in preparation to compete against 30+ of the elite of the plumbing world in Shanghai in October.

As part of their ongoing training process, Connor and Sam took part in a recent WorldSkills virtual international friendly training event alongside plumbing competitors from Chinese Taipei, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, enjoying the experience and scoring highly. 

“Connor and Sam are a credit to their employers and colleges, and fantastic ambassadors for the UK plumbing industry and anyone considering a career in our industry. They are both very talented and I’m sure that whichever one of them represents the UK at WorldSkills 2022 will continue the fantastic results we’ve had with previous SkillPLUMB competitors,” commented Neil Collishaw, BPEC CEO. “They and their tutors and employers should be extremely proud of the quality of skill and dedication they have displayed.”

SkillPLUMB is an annual skills competition designed to promote standards and skills across the plumbing industry, developing competence into excellence – and is the only route through for UK competitors aspiring to compete at WorldSkills. SkillPLUMB is organised by the BPEC charity with support from plumbing and heating industry partners, bringing invaluable benefits to students, colleges, and employers. 

SNIPEF is the leading trade association for plumbing and heating firms in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Since 1923, we have represented the best interests of the plumbing and heating industry, from sole traders to large-scale businesses. We also manage the training of plumbing apprentices, ensuring a skilled workforce in the future.