Weston College hosted the South West Regional HIP & SPARKS Competition again for the second year in a row at our South West Skills Campus yesterday, welcoming students, apprentices and lecturers from colleges across the South West of England. Students who win their regional heat will then compete for a chance to become the Learner of the Year Winner in the national Grand Final.

Weston College put forward two students, Level 3 Electrical apprentice, Marcus, for the SPARKS competition, and Level 3 Plumbing apprentice, Will, for the HIP competition. Both learners worked extremely hard to prepare themselves for this competition, working tirelessly with lecturers to ensure they covered a range of challenging installations to equip them with an in-depth skillset.

Marcus won the SPARKS South West Regional heat competition yesterday, securing him a place in the national Grand Final taking place in May. He displayed a high-level of accuracy and skills throughout the competition which secured him the top spot amongst his competitors. Will also worked hard throughout the HIP competition, displaying professionalism and dedication to his installation, unfortunately he did not manage to place in this year’s regional heat.

The HIP & SPARKS Competition encourages Plumbing and Electrical students from across the country to compete, with one student being chosen from each participating college to represent them in each competition in hopes of becoming the 2026 Learner of the Year. The HIP competition consists of Plumbing and heating students from across the UK, whilst the SPARKS competition consists of Electrical learners from across the UK.

During the competition, students had to complete a live practical installation, being given a strict brief and time limit that they must adhere to. Judging is then carried out by expert Technical Teams to ensure the students have followed the brief, test how well it works, the precision and accuracy of the installation, and the neatness of their work. A winner and a runner-up are then chosen from each regional heat to compete in the Grand Final and become the 2026 Learner of the Year in both competitions.

Lee Baker, lecturer in Electrotechnical, and Chris Simpson, lecturer in Plumbing, have worked hard to ensure both students feel prepared during the competition. 

These competitions are an excellent way for students to increase their confidence and skills, meet likeminded students in the same trade from across the country, network with industry professionals, and win huge prizes if they place in the regional or Grand Final.

Marcus, Electrical apprentice and the SPARKS South West Regional Heat winner, said: “I thought it went well but I was surprised when I won. I thought I had a good chance as I did some prep work in college and a lot of the work in the install I do on site but I didn’t think I’d win. I feel like everyone who gets the chance to do this competition should definitely give it a go as it’s great experience and you never know if you’ll win!”

Lee Baker, Lecturer in Electrotechnical at Weston College, shared how proud he was of Marcus, saying: “Marcus has worked exceptionally hard throughout his apprenticeship, and since being chosen to represent the college in the SPARKS competition, he has been pushing himself to his limits, making sure all installations are millimetre perfect. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has achieved and I look forward to seeing him compete in the final in May and show the extent of his skills.”

This competition forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

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