EDINBURGH, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Reid, an apprentice plumber from Moray College has just won the prestigious Scottish Regional SkillPlumb Competition, which was held in Dundee College on the 6th and 7th of June.

The competition which is organised by the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF) brings together apprentices from each of the Technical Colleges and Training Centres in Scotland who teach the Plumbing SVQ Level 3 Qualification. Scott was one of 17 competitors who took part in the two-day competition.

The competition offers an opportunity for apprentices to showcase the range of skills required to become a qualified plumber, which they are learning both while working with their employers and at college or one of the training centres.

The SkillPlumb Competition has been devised to incorporate everyday plumbing tasks which an apprentice is likely to encounter during their training. The competition consists of two workshop exercises, a copper pipework exercise and a lead bossing and forming exercise. In addition there is also a multiple choice exam paper on aspects of plumbing and heating work.

At the prize giving ceremony held at Dundee College, SNIPEF President George Whyte presented Scott with his prizes and Jim MacKinnon, the Senior Plumbing Lecturer from Moray College, with the overall winner's Shield. As well as winning the overall award, Scott also won both the best copper pipework and best lead awards.

Second place in the overall competition was won by Jason Cameron representing Aberdeen College whilst third place was won by Gavin Hart who represented Dundee College.

Both Scott and Jason will now participate in the UK National SkillPlumb Competition which will be held at the Interbuild Exhibition in the NEC Birmingham in October. The overall winner of the UK Competition could then represent the UK in the next WorldSkills Competition which will be held in Calgary in September 2009.

Winning apprentice Scott Reid said "I really enjoyed the 2 day Competition in Dundee and was surprised but of course very pleased to have won the event. Since I started my apprenticeship in 2004 I have always enjoyed both my training at Moray College and the varied work I have undertaken with my employer."

Scott plans to use the money he won on a trip he will be undertaking to Canada.

Notes:

1. For Further information on plumbing apprenticeships visit http://www.becomeaplumber.org

For further details and pictures please contact Alan Wilson at SNIPEF - +44(0)131-225-2255 or e-mail alan.wilson@snipef.org