21 year old Charles Goodman from MW Cripwell Ltd been crowned 2015 SkillELECTRIC champion after excelling in an intensive three-day practical competition at the Birmingham NEC Skills Show.
Over 75,000 visited the event, the nation’s largest skills and careers event, where SkillELECTRIC was just one of 65 competitions taking place.
Charles, a student at the Burton Training Organisation, took top marks over his fellow finalists in a complex electrical installation task comprising various power, lighting and other circuits, components and control systems.
The task had to be completed within a strict timeframe and was marked against tough criteria including wiring and connection skills, inspection and testing and measuring and marking out, which had to be accurate within + / - 2mm.
Taking second place and a silver medal was Christopher Evans of RJ Stern and West Herts College. Third place and a bronze medal went to Daniel Griffin of Coleg Gwent who works for DP Dennehy & Son.
All finalists received prizes including tools donated from competition sponsors, workwear and vouchers alongside a competition medallion and certificate.
Speaking after his win, Charles said: “I’m so proud. At the beginning of the competition I wasn’t sure that I could do the task we were set in time, but my family, employer and my tutors from Burton Training Organisation supported and urged me on. I’d recommend taking part in this competition to anyone – I got a real sense of achievement out of it”
Neil Collishaw of BPEC, the organisers of SkillELECTRIC commented, “This year we had a superb set of tasks, which really tested and challenged the finalists. We are very proud of all the competitors - they are excellent ambassadors for the industry and brilliant role models for other young people who are considering a career in our sector.
“Over the three days we had an excellent turnout of visitors who were all really impressed with the standards of skill on display at our stand.”
SkillELECTRIC has NET and the Joint Industry Board as its lead sponsors and is organised by BPEC.