Young Plumber of the Year 2024
Our exciting Final for our 2024 Young Plumber of Year competition, held on Tuesday 23 Oct 2024, has been an exciting week for all our Finalists. From Monday morning kicking it off with a total of 6 supplier visits during Monday and Tuesday morning in Auckland, to a Theory Test in Hamilton on Tuesday afternoon, a Panel Interview this morning, followed by a 3.5 hour Skills Test, ten Finalists battled it out to win the top prize.
We are excited to announce the Top 3 from the 2024 Young Plumber of the Year National Final
Blake Patrick
Tristan Harris
Liam Dewar
Top 3 Winners: Liam Dewar (3rd), Blake Patrick (1st), Tristan Harris (2nd).
That’s a wrap
A huge thank you to all the branches that have supported this competition throughout the year, from the Branch Events in March/April, to the Regional Events and now the Final. We had over 340 contestants nationwide. Plus we want to recognise ALL the hard work by Daniel Keenan and Michelle Bingham in all aspects of the 2024 Competition.
Also special recognition and thanks to our 2024 National Final Judges.
2024 National finalists
Congratulations to the following contestants who competed in the National Final held in Hamilton on 23 October 2024.
2024 Branch & Regional Winners
Congratulations to the contestants who took out the Branch Qualifiers & Regional Finals.
See this years Branch Qualifiers & Regional Finals winners.
National Winner: Blake Patrick
Age: 28
Company: Limitless Plumbing and Gas Ltd
Qualifications: Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Tradesman Drainlayer
Training Provider: MIT
Plumbing World Branch: Whangarei
Background Information
I have been plumbing for 9 years now. What interested me in plumbing was the mix of hands-on work and problem-solving, as well as the chance to make a difference in people’s homes and businesses. It’s a challenging trade that always keeps me learning, and now I’m passionate about helping the next generation get into it.
What fascinated you to enter YPOTY?
I love the challenge of going up against the best young plumbers in NZ, It’s a fun event to be a part of, with every year getting better and better. I have gained long lasting friendships from these events, with competitors, suppliers and reps. Beyond the personal challenge, I knew that participating in YPOTY would give me a platform to promote the plumbing trade. It’s important to me to encourage other young people to see plumbing as a viable and rewarding career, and I want to use this experience to show them the kind of opportunities that are available in this industry.
How would you use your new platform if you won?
I would use the platform to improve perceptions of the trade and encourage more people to start a career in plumbing. I’d want to use the platform to raise awareness about the shortage of young plumbers in the industry and motivate other business owners to take on apprentices.
2nd Place: Tristan Harris
Age: 28
Company: Limitless Plumbing and Gas Ltd
Qualifications: Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Tradesman Drainlayer
Training Provider: MIT
Plumbing World Branch: Whangarei
Background Information
I started my plumbing apprenticeship in 2021 after moving down to Christchurch for university. After passing first year uni I realised that I couldn’t see myself happily going down that road for my foreseeable future. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and had a love for figuring out how and why things work. A trade seemed like the obvious choice for me to pursue, and after not much consideration, plumbing seemed like the perfect option. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every day of it so far and can not wait to see where it takes me further in life.
What fascinated you to enter YPOTY?
Competitions were always the highlights of my year, whether that be in sports, education, or just a pub quiz fundraiser. When Simon mentioned to me last year that there was competition for young plumbers it seemed like the perfect combination. I’ve always loved the challenges they bring and the quest to discover better ways to do things. After how much fun I had last year I couldn’t not enter again this year!
How would you use your new platform if you won?
Mental health is a big part of my life. As I touched on briefly in the interview last year, I have always had a strong wish to make the world a better place. There is so much stigma around mental health in general, and discussing men’s mental health in the trades is a whole differnet kettle of fish altogether. I would love to make an, even small, difference in that and try and break the stigma that still hovers over discussing mental health safely.
3rd Place: Liam Dewar
Age: 26
Company: Quantum Waste Water Systems Ltd
Qualifications: Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter & Drainlayer
Training Provider: Skills
Plumbing World Branch: Levin
Background Information
I’ve been plumbing for 8 and a half years now, I had done some work experience doing plumbing in my last year at college. I knew I didn’t want to go to university and I had enjoyed the work I had done while plumbing and had seen how a trade can set you up for life.
What fascinated you to enter YPOTY?
To challenge myself and to see how I stack up against other plumbers in the country.
How would you use your new platform if you won?
I would try and get more people interested in the young plumber of the year contest and to give it a go to help grow the contest into something even better.
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