SNIPEF

Talented student plumbers are being encouraged to enter this year’s SkillPLUMB competition. The registration window is open now and runs until 28 March. Register by clicking here.

During the competition, entrants will be judged on a series of challenging practical tests in a bid to be named the 2025 SkillPLUMB champion. The event is the only industry competition aligned to the WorldSkills network; those who do well at UK level may have the chance to compete internationally at the next WorldSkills event in Aichi, Japan, in 2028.

All those who register will take part in an initial practical task carried out at the competitor’s college or training provider. This work will be tutor-assessed and then the scores and evidence will be moderated by SkillPLUMB and WorldSkills UK.

Those who are successful will be invited to one of the UK-wide qualifying heats between May and June, hosted by colleges and training centres across the country. The Northern Ireland heat will be hosted by South Eastern Regional College at its Downpatrick campus on 20 May. While the Scottish heat will take place at SNIPEF’s Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (SPAY) competition, which will be marking its 50^th anniversary, at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride on 13 June.  

The top scoring competitors from all qualifying heats combined will be invited to compete in the UK grand final which this year will be taking place in South Wales along with around 50 other WorldSkills UK national competitions.

SkillPLUMB is open to apprentices and Level 2 or 3 plumbing students. The event, designed to promote and showcase high standards and skills across the plumbing industry, is organised by the BPEC Charity and has Ideal Heating as its headline sponsor.

"We are proud to organise SkillPLUMB and are committed to supporting the regional, national, and international plumbing skills competitions as a means of showcasing the best in apprenticeship training,” said Neil Collishaw, BPEC Chief Executive.

He added: “Each year the quality demonstrated by our industry’s student plumbers is astounding; we look forward to the excellent standards we’ll be witnessing from competitors again this year.”

The BPEC website has more information on the competition, an in-house training task to help prepare competitors, and details on the events taking place across the UK. To find out more visit www.bpec.org.uk/skillplumb or register by visiting www.bpec.org.uk/registration