Apprentice plumber of the year

A WARRINGTON student has been named North West Apprentice Plumber of the year in the regional finals of the Heating Installers and Plumbers (HIP) UK competition.
The competition, is a nationwide trade competition aimed at supporting the younger generation of apprentices and practicing tradesmen.
It gives trainee plumbers and heating engineers the opportunity to work their way through a series of challenges, providing them with insight and valuable lessons on life in their chosen career.
Kristian Poyner, 21, from Higher Whitley, a student at Warrington Collegiate, won the North West heat of the competition hosted at the Winwick Road campus after completing a challenge to carry out a plumbing installation from a set of drawings in an allocated time and achieving the highest number of points for precision of installation.
He now goes through to the national final in London later this year.
Kristian said: “It was a very difficult test and I couldn’t be happier about winning the title.
“It was really nerve racking completing the challenge in the allocated time, but I’m proud that I was able to complete the job to a professional standard. I know the next round will be even tougher, but I’m definitely up to the challenge.”
Curriculum manager Phil Walsh, said: “Kristian is very talented and we are proud his skill shone through in this competition. He has worked hard to develop his technical knowledge and shows great motivation and maturity.”
It is the second year running that a Collegiate student has won the North West heat.
The college is holding an open evening on Thursday, March 31, from 5-8pm when staff and current students will be on hand to talk to prospective students.