History was made last week, when the first ever winner and runner-up of the brand-new HIP Female Skills competition was announced!
During February and March, two regional competitions took place in search of the best up-and-coming industry talent. Level 2 and 3 female plumbing & heating learners of all ages, from colleges nationwide competed in a live practical installation for the chance to win a place in the grand final.
The final took place last week on 30th March, at Loughborough College, where six finalists battled it out to be crowned HIP Female Skills 2023 Winner. The judges had a tough time marking, as the standard was so high. After much deliberation, the winner and the runner-up were announced.
Tiffany Baker from Group Llandrillo Menai has been named as the HIP Female Skills Winner 2023! Adelaide Ruddy from Bath College was announced as runner-up.
Chris Penney, Leader GIVE Program LIXIL EMENA, at Grohe said, “The standard of work has been very high. We want to encourage more women into the plumbing industry, and set new industry standards with our products and also with the people that install them. It’s important that we bridge that gender gap.”
Zoë Tanner, Managing Director of HIP said, “A massive congratulations to all who took part. You should be extremely proud of yourselves. It has been an absolute honour to see the next generation of female plumbers showing off their skills.”
The competition was sponsored by many big industry names, including Grohe, Viessmann, Aalberts IPS, Grundfos, Kingspan, Wolseley Plumb Parts, Talon, Stelrad, Scruffs, Yorkshire Copper Tube, CIPHE and WD-40.
According to the Office of National Statistics, as little as 1% of the UK construction industry are currently female. That represents only a 0.7% increase during the last decade. HIP, the organisers of the HIP Learner of the Year competition, launched its first ever Female Skills Competition this year with the goal to build confidence and advocate skills development along with getting the very best people into the industry regardless of gender.
For more information about the competition, head to https://www.hip-magazine.co.uk/hip-femaleskills-competition/
Get involved on social media – search for HIP Magazine and use the hashtag #HIPFSC23.