Modern Apprentice Hubert Parysek – who trains at Forth Valley College - took first place at the recent Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year’s lead competition.
Hubert (23) a third-year plumbing and heating apprentice from Stirling, won the lead category of the Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (SPAY) competition, sponsored by City Plumbing and ALM.
Hubert, who balances his studies at FVC with his work at Comfort Systems Ltd, outperformed 14 other category competitors in the competition held at South Lanarkshire College on 7 June.
The competition, organised by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF), showcases the diverse skills and emerging talent within Scotland’s plumbing and heating profession.
Now in its 49th year, the SPAY competition was held at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride. It features three categories: copper, lead, and renewables. Apprentices were tasked with demonstrating their knowledge and practical skills, from creating intricate copper pipework, essential for modern plumbing systems, to managing and shaping lead components for use in older buildings, and deploying advanced renewable technologies. Notably, the copper category serves as the Scottish qualifier for the SkillPLUMB UK finals, highlighting its importance on a national level.
Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF), began by congratulating Hubert on his win, saying: “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Hubert for his achievement in winning the lead category of the Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year competition. His tireless efforts and dedication are truly commendable.
“Both Forth Valley College and Comfort Systems Ltd deserve high praise for their roles in nurturing such exceptional talent within our modern apprenticeship programme.
"Hubert’s triumph not only celebrates his individual skill, but also underscores the critical importance of our apprenticeship in promoting excellence across the plumbing and heating profession.
“These future professionals are essential for advancing our profession and pivotal in supporting Scotland’s transition towards innovative, low-carbon heating systems like heat pumps, aligning with our national environmental ambitions.”
Liam Marshall from Moray secured second place in the lead category, while Hebe James of Edinburgh claimed third place.