Ayrshire College’s Plumbing department hosted leading plumbing manufacturer Polypipe Building Products at its Ayr Campus this week for a full day of activities designed to inspire the next generation of plumbing professionals.
The event featured interactive learning sessions and a practical competition, delivered in partnership with Polypipe Building Products, giving students valuable insights into the plumbing industry and hands on experiences with modern tools and materials.
The day was structured around two sessions, beginning with a 45-minute classroom presentation delivered by representatives from Polypipe Building Products. The presentation covered developments in the plumbing sector, recent innovations and the practical applications of Polypipe Building Products.
Following the presentations, students took part in a hands-on exercise in the workshop to test their plumbing skills, creativity and ability to work under pressure.
A highlight of the day was a series of talks delivered by current plumbing apprentices who shared their own career journeys, from entry-level courses to securing employment in the sector. These informative talks offered valuable advice to those considering similar paths.
At the end of each practical session, Polypipe Building Products representatives, along with Ayrshire College staff, selected a winner and runner-up. Winning pairs received a pipe cutter box set and £10 Amazon voucher, while the runners-up were awarded a pipe cutter box set.
Joshua Alston, a student in MA Plumbing Group 2B, said: "It was a great day. Joe was excellent and it was good to work with the tools and materials that Polypipe provided for us. I also won an Amazon voucher and some tools which I will use when I start my apprenticeship soon with East Ayrshire Council.”
Joe Thompson, Technical Training Manager at Polypipe Building Products said: “Thank you to the students and staff at Ayrshire College for their hospitality and the opportunity to share more about Polypipe’s products and applications. The practical competitions in the workshop really showcased the students’ creativity and teamwork skills with a ladder construction exercise. I was thoroughly impressed with their enthusiasm and effort, and I look forward to seeing how our gifted products support the college’s projects in the future."
Cameron Bell, Head of Learning and Skills - Construction Technology, Trades and Renewables added: “We're grateful to Joe and the Polypipe team for their efforts today. Events like this are a brilliant way to bring industry to life for our students with the added competitive aspect encouraging them to showcase their skills and perform at their best.
Partnerships like this are vital in preparing our learners for successful careers in the trades and Polypipe has also generously donated pipes, fittings and tools which our students will be able to use in the future.”
The event exemplified the College’s commitment to fostering connections between students and industry leaders. Engaging with Polypipe Building Products allowed students to gain firsthand knowledge of industry expectations and cutting-edge practices.
