The seven finalists have been announced for this year’s HIP Learner of the Year 2024. They will go forward to compete in the Live Grand Final in April.
The competition kicked off in January, when Level 2 and 3 plumbing students competed across six regional locations in England and Wales. The high calibre of entries this year meant that the competition judges had a tough job on their hands. After much deliberation, with some of the results being just one mark between them, the following regional winners have been announced as this year’s HIP Learner of the Year Finalists:
Jacob Culver, Yeovil College
Joshua Cole, Coleg y Cymoedd
Zak Rowan, The Grimsby Institute
Cole Hull, Cheshire College South & West
Daisy Turner, Barking and Dagenham College
Nathan Knowles, Rotherham College, RCC Group
Jay Brewster, City College Norwich
The competition has been sponsored by many big industry names, including Stelrad, and sector organisations such as The Worshipful Company of Plumbers, and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).
Stelrad was particularly happy to see local student Nathan Knowles from Rotherham College make it to the finals.
Zoe Tanner, Managing Director at HIP, said: “All the competitors should be immensely proud of themselves for taking part and competing. The standard of work has been incredible. We’re thrilled to see HIP Learner of the Year grow year on year, and it’s encouraging to see the competition being supported by so many big names from the industry.”
For well over a decade, the HIP competition has given young plumbers the opportunity to showcase their skills, celebrating the up-and-coming talent across the UK, and instilling confidence in the next generation of the plumbing industry. Many of the past HIP Learner of the Year competitors have gone on to accomplish further achievements, proving competitions like these provide stepping stones for those looking to carve a name out for themselves in the industry.
Next stop…the Grand Final! Who will take home the title of HIP Learner of the Year 2024?
For more information about the competition, head to https://www.hip-magazine.co.uk/learner-of-the-year/
