Construction Students Shine in National Competitions.

Two finals for the Sparks and HIP Learner of the Year competitions were held at the end of April. Two learners from Farnborough College of Technology’s Aldershot campus finished first in their regional heats qualifying them for the national finals.  

Sam Mackenzie competed in the SPARKS magazine competition for Electrical Learner of the Year. Miles James competed in the plumbing-based heating Learner of the Year competition by HIP magazine. Both apprentices made the college, their teachers and their employers proud by finishing first in their regional heats before competing in the national finals.

Miles James won his heat and was awarded a range of prizes including a coffee machine, a new set of screwdrivers and a place in the seven-student final among the top plumbing students in the country. Making Miles the first Aldershot student to win the HIP Southeast Regional Heat and becoming one of the top plumbing students in the country.

Miles said “It was hard but once got going it was all good, it boosted my confidence massively”

Also winning his heat, Sam’s final ended with him placing second with a close gap between him and the first-place winner.  

As runner-up Sam walked away with £250 and a selection of prizes such as a new set of Milwaukee screwdrivers and an M12 fuel drill. 

Sam said that “I’m very chuffed with myself. It’s nice to see people of a similar age all in the same place doing the same thing for the same reason.” 

Principal CEO Virginia Barrett said:

“Sam and Miles competing at a national level shows both student’s skill and dedication to their industry. They embody the growth mindset we inspire all our students to have. 

“Working to such a high standard will allow these students to become talented industry professionals.”

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