A COLLEGE learner has been crowned the UK’s top plumbing apprentice.

Nineteen-year-old Lewis Blakely, from Caerphilly, bagged himself the top prize at the grand finals of this year’s HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year competition, which aims to find the most talented young tradespeople in the country.

Beating competition from across the UK, he is currently studying a Level 3 plumbing diploma at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Ystrad Mynach campus, came out on top after a close contest held over two days in Cheltenham.

Mr Blakely’s triumph saw him take home a cheque of £1,000 as well as a vast collection of professional tools and equipment. Coleg y Cymoedd’s plumbing department also received £1,000 as a result of his success.

Mr Blakely said: “Going from the Welsh heat to the final was a huge step in terms of the difficulty of the challenges and level of ability tested.

“My tutors and employers were very supportive. Winning the competition has really boosted my confidence and I’m excited to continue my career in plumbing. I’m hoping to become a full-time gas-engineer once I finish my apprenticeship and I think that this award will help me immensely.”

As a Level 3 student and apprentice, Lewis’ time is split between college-based learning at Coleg y Cymoedd and his apprenticeship with Aberdare-based, Blue Hill Facilities Management.

Lee Perry, plumbing lecturer at Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “We are immensely proud of Lewis.

“Winning the awards is a huge achievement and is testament to his talent, hard-work and dedication to his profession.”