Spotting and supporting future female plumbers and heating engineers
At the beginning of this year, Wolseley announced that it would be merchant sponsor for HIP magazine’s first-ever Female Skills competition. The Female Skills event is aimed at supporting the future of the industry, with a specific focus on identifying up-and-coming female talent and securing space for women in the sector.
Two regional heats took place during February and March, attracting Level 2 and 3 female plumbing and heating learners of all ages from colleges nationwide. Each entrant competed in a live practical installation for the chance to win a place in the grand final.
That final took place at Loughborough College on 30 March, with Tiffany Baker from Group Llandrillo Menai taking the top spot and Adelaide Ruddy from Bath College being named as runner up.
Emma Conroy, Proposition Development Director, Wolseley Plumbing & Heating, said, “Wolseley is really proud to be one of the sponsors for the first HIP Female Skills competition. As a leading specialist merchant, it is important for us to support the future of the industry and all the talented people who are part of it. This competition has given many women who are just starting out in the industry a real chance to shine and showcase their skills, Tiffany, Adelaide and all the finalists have done brilliantly. We’re looking forward to seeing this competition grow in the years to come to support greater numbers of women as they start on their careers in what is becoming a much more diverse sector of the workforce.”
Wolseley is also the merchant sponsor for HIP’s annual Learner of the Year competition, which is open to male and female students from the industry, and continues until the finals on 19-20 April.