Sam shows pros his pipework is among the country’s best

Young professionals with plumbing careers in the pipeline went head-to-head in an industry challenge at Oldham College.

And 20-year old Sam Chadwick, from Rochdale, who is a third year student at the college, came runner up against 11 other apprentices from across the country at the college’s gas training and assessment centre.

The HIP! Heating Engineers, Installers and Plumbers Magazine competition highlighted the skills needed in a trade which is defying the credit crunch.

Mr Chadwick is no stranger to the nuts and bolt of competition.

Back in November 2007 he was the region’s winner of the British Plumbing Employment Council (BPEC) Plumbing Skills competition and was a runner up in the national final.

Tutor Tony Ganner said: “We are all very proud of Sam who gave it his all and was just pipped at the end.

“Sam’s a great student to work with and always tries his best, I’m sure he can win next time.”

The students had to install, from a drawing, connections from a combination boiler to a radiator with hot and cold pipework. The installation was pressure tested to industry standards.

The standard was extremely high, and Joseph O’Connell from Blackpool and Fylde College was selected as the overall winner.