Two young plumbers are to battle it out to be named top in the UK in the hope of reaching the world final.
Apprentices Kayne Forsyth and Sean Esslemont are both looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow tradesman Connor Cruden who recently competed in the WorldSkills Plumbing final held in Germany.
Twenty-two-year-old Mr Cruden, who works for Cowie Plumbing & Heating, ranked seventh best in the world and walked away with a Medallion for Excellence finishing the competition just 13 points off gold medal position.
He made it to the event after winning the UK final in 2019.
Now Kayne Forsyth and Sean Esslemont, both 20, are to go head to head at the UK final next week in Middlesborough.
Intense training
Former Inverurie Academy pupil Mr Forsyth, who has worked for Camwater for the past four years, has been inspired by Mr Cruden.
The Inverurie resident, who studies at NESCol’s Altens campus, said: “To see someone local reach the world final is motivational.
“I’m nervous but excited for the competition.
“I’ve had a lot of good training between my boss Ian Cowie and college lecturer Neil Robertson.
“I’ll do my best.”
All SkillPlumb candidates had to complete a practical task at their local college or training centre before reaching the regional heats.
The eight top highest scoring competitors will now take part in the UK final being held over three days at Middlesbrough College between November 16 & 18.
Those that perform well could then be invited to compete against other young plumbers across the globe at the WorldSkills 2024 event in France.
The pair will be faced with a number of tasks including plumbing a hot water cylinder and boiler.
Forres resident Mr Esslemont, who works for McDonald & Munro and studies at Moray College, said: “I’m nervous as it’ll be a different experience to the Scottish competition but I’m going to give it my best shot.”
World final bid
Mr Cruden lost out on top spot at the competition with Austria taking the gold medal.
Hungary and France shared the silver medal with China Taipei in bronze position.
Mr Cruden said: “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but the whole experience was great.
“I wouldn’t have been there without my training.”
The competition, held in Germany over three days, saw Mr Cruden take part in challenges including a six and a half hour pipe bending speed test and installing a bathroom suite.
He said: “I enjoyed the bathroom suite install and did very well on that.
“It was day three I went downhill on the speed test. I was so exhausted by the time it came around.
“One of the judges told me one day one and two I was in the lead and it was day three I lost it.
“It was a difficult pill to swallow. I bent one pipe wrong at the start and it knocked my confidence. Once you’ve made a mistake you can’t go back.
“I knew as soon as it happened and it cost me the points that could have brought me a gold.
“But I’m still happy with how I got on.
“To get there and be able to compete against the rest of the world was an honour.”
‘Enhance business repuation’
The UK competition has been organsied by BPEC and supported by WaterSafe, the national register of qualified, approved plumbers.
BPEC chief executive Neil Collishaw said: “The SkillPLUMB 2022 competition has seen some amazing competitors and exciting heats.
“It brings invaluable benefits to students, colleges and employers. Competitors can gain recognition for their exceptional skills, injecting dynamism and excitement into training, and employers can enhance their business reputation and improve the skills of their workforce.”