With wrenches and pipe cutters at the ready, Pontypool plumbing student Sean Quinn is hoping to win the title of national apprentice of the year at a plumbing skills competition next week.
The 18-year-old from Glascoed will be pitting his wits against five other trainee plumbers from across the UK next week at the HIP! UK Apprentice Plumber of the Year 2010 competition. After winning the Welsh regional heats in February, Sean is looking forward to the competition: “It was really good to win the regional competition so I’ve been practicing all of my skills, hoping that the brief will be similar to that in the regional competition. I’m a little bit nervous as it’s a national competition but I’m feeling pretty confident – I’ll just go and do my best.”
Sean is doing his NVQ Level 2 at the College as part of his apprenticeship at A J Quinn Building Contractors based in Pontypool. The company is owned by his dad, who is really supportive of Sean’s career and Coleg Gwent.
His tutor David Gower said: “Sean has worked really hard since he started at his level 2 qualification so it was great for him to win the regional heat and a place in the national finals – we wish him the best of luck in the competition next week and Sean should be really proud of what he has already achieved.”
As a finalist Sean will receive a special cut-glass trophy, a top of the range Milwaukee 4-piece drill set (worth over £250) and brand new Blaklader top quality clothing, along with other prizes donated by various manufacturers. If he wins the national title he will receive £1,000 worth of Plumbfix vouchers, and the college will receive £500 worth of Plumbfix vouchers.
The two day competition will start on Wednesday 21 April at Newbury Race Course.
