Cymoedd’s plumbing apprentice turns up the heat at the Regional HIP Awards

Coleg y Cymoedd learner Ruben Duggan has secured his place at the Grand Final of the HIP Awards, beating off stiff competition from learners from across Wales; to win the Welsh Regional Finals.

The Regional event which took place at Coleg Gwent earlier this month is part of an annual competition which takes place at six regions throughout England and Wales; in search of the best up and coming industry talent.

The standard set at the competition is extremely high and this year was no different requiring the Level 2 and 3 Plumbing and Heating learners from the Ystrad Mynach campus to demonstrate their skills and timing, in order to complete the task of a live practical installation.

Ruben 20 from Man-Moel is studying Level 3 Plumbing at the Ystrad Mynach campus and has been a learner at the college for 4 years. With his sights set on a career in the Plumbing industry Ruben has always been keen to participate in extra- curricular competitions; to further his skills and increase his knowledge of the trade.

Following his success at the competition, Ruben said “The competition was quite intense but tutors at the college have prepared us for challenges such as this, sharing their professional skills and knowledge. I have to thank them for their encouragement. I am looking forward to the Grand Final in April and I know I can depend on their support”.

Congratulating Ruben, Lee Perry (Plumbing tutor) said” It was great to see the return of this competition and the department are so proud of all the learners who took part, they produced excellent work. We are delighted that Ruben won the competition, his work was very impressive. To complete the task under the pressure of competition standards and time restraints is always difficult, but the quality of workmanship shown by Ruben is a testament to himself.

We will continue to support him going into the HIP Learner of the Year Grand final which takes places at Worcester Bosch in April; and hope to see him crowned UK Plumber of the Year. The college has a proven track record at these awards winning the Regional event five times and on one occasion being crowned overall winner in the UK – testament to the quality of learners and ourselves as a department.  The college’s electrician learners were also winners in their respective competition. So an excellent result for the department and the college”.

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