Matthew Phillippo from Newton Aycliffe received the J.B. Wilkinson Shield from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers at a ceremony held in Gateshead recently.
It is the first time Bishop Auckland College has secured the prestigious award, which is contested by Level 2 plumbing apprentices from the North East and Cumbria, since 1968.
The 18-year-old, who works for K Hewitt & Co in Bishop Auckland, has just completed a two year Level 2 Apprenticeship in Plumbing and Domestic Heating, attending the Skills and Enterprise Centre at the College’s Spennymoor Campus one day a week.
Judges from the CIPHE and The Worshipful Company of Plumbers said that his portfolio was one of the highest quality they had ever seen and that the competition this year was outstanding.
Matthew said: “I am honoured and privileged to have received such a prestigious award. I would like to thank my employer Craig Hewitt, who was willing to take me on as an apprentice, and Bishop Auckland College and my tutor Peter Roe for supporting me on my course and equipping me with the knowledge and experience I have gained.”
Trevor Alley, Curriculum Development Manager of the Technology Department at Bishop Auckland College, added: The award represents hard work both of Matthew and of his tutor Peter Roe and this will provide a huge incentive to our existing apprentices and to our full time learners who are aspiring to become plumbers.”
His employer Craig Hewitt said: “We are pleased the hard work and dedication Matthew has shown over the last two years has been recognised with the award of the prestigious Wilkinson Shield.
“As an employer we need confidence that our apprentices receive the best possible training to secure our workforce for the future and we take comfort in the fact that Bishop Auckland College consistently delivers these very high standards year after year.”
Bishop Auckland College is currently recruiting for apprentices in plumbing and heating and a number of other trades. Both employers looking to take on apprentices and people aged between 16-25 who would like to become an apprentice can contact the college by emailing start@bacoll.ac.uk or calling 0800 092 6506.
