6th August 2024
A plumbing student from Barking & Dagenham College took part in the annual Young Engineer’s and College Plumbing Skills Competitions.
George Graham, 19 from Dagenham competed at the day long event held at Waltham Forest College last week.
For the event, each competitor was paired with a young engineer and they then took part in a number of tasks which were facilitated by industry representatives. This included things like being presented with a cistern which had several defects which the teams then had to identify and show how they could be fixed.
As well as their technical skills, the event also tested the students skills such as working with others, problem solving, communication and their drive to learn new skills and ideas.
![Plumb job for George as he takes part in skills competition 1](https://barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk/assets/images/_layout/Plumb-job-for-George-as-he-takes-part-in-skills-competition-1.jpg)
It was a great day, and the standards of all the students taking part were high. The event is organised as part of the Society of Public Health Engineers (SoPHE) and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engingeering (CIBSE) Plumbing Industry working group which looks to promote the industry and encourage new talent.
George, who is waiting to find out if he won, said: "The event helped me to understand and learn more plumbing skills and helped me to enhance my communication and teamwork skills"
![Plumb job for George as he takes part in skills competition 6](https://barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk/assets/images/_layout/Plumb-job-for-George-as-he-takes-part-in-skills-competition-6.jpg)
Errol Seaman, Teaching Development Manager at Barking & Dagenham College commented: “Competitions like this are a great way of helping our students practice the skills they have been learning. To also have industry experts involved and on hand to offer advice and set the tasks for the students is invaluable experience for them. George did brilliantly on the day and really showed just what he can do. We’re all very proud of him.”
![Plumb job for George as he takes part in skills competition 8](https://barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk/assets/images/_layout/Plumb-job-for-George-as-he-takes-part-in-skills-competition-8.jpg)