Three of Scotland’s most talented plumbing and heating apprentices have been crowned winners in their categories at the 50th anniversary Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (SPAY 50) competition.
Held at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride on 13 June, the landmark event brought together 40 finalists from across Scotland to compete in three technical challenges: Copper, Leadwork and Renewable Technologies.
The competition, organised by the Plumbing and Heating Federation (SNIPEF), aims to recognise the highest standards of craftsmanship, innovation and professionalism among Scotland’s next generation of plumbing and heating engineers.
Calum MacRitchie from Hamilton, an apprentice with Malcolm McArthur & Son Ltd and a student at South Lanarkshire College, won first place in the BPEC SkillPLUMB Copper competition, the official Scottish heat for the UK-wide SkillPLUMB national finals.
Speaking after his win, Calum said: “It feels really good to win the competition, though it was a bit of a surprise on the day, to be honest. I took part in 2024 and was disappointed with my performance, so it’s great to see my improvement after putting in a lot of hard work over the past year.”
Neil Collishaw, Chief Executive of BPEC, added: “We are delighted to see SkillPLUMB playing such a strong role in this year’s SPAY 50 celebrations. Calum’s success reflects the exceptional quality of training delivered by his college and employer, as well as his own dedication and ability. I congratulate all of this year’s competitors for their skill and determination, and I look forward to seeing how Scotland performs at the UK finals.”
In the Leadwork category, Frazer Graham from Fochabers, an apprentice with Moray Council and UHI Moray, took first place, while fellow UHI Moray apprentice Sweyn MacAskill from Elgin secured third.
Frazer said: “It feels good to have won, having put in a lot of hours to get here, and it’s really paid off. I knew it would be close between me and another competitor as he was also in the competition last year. It’s a great personal accomplishment for me.”
In the Renewable Technologies category, first place went to Arren John MacMillan from Carluke, an apprentice with John Frood & Sons and a student at South Lanarkshire College.
Arren said: “It’s surreal, and a really good end to a difficult week. I didn’t expect to win, so it’s a really nice surprise. But I couldn’t have done it without the team. The lecturers here aren’t just your teachers, they’re like your best pals – it makes it so much easier.”
South Lanarkshire College and UHI Moray delivered standout performances, securing seven of the nine podium places across all categories.
Commenting on their successes, Stephanie Lowe, Deputy Chief Executive of SNIPEF, praised the outstanding results: “The performances from both South Lanarkshire College and UHI Moray highlight the incredible commitment across Scotland’s college network to delivering world-class apprenticeship training. Behind every apprentice success is a team of committed lecturers, dedicated employers and high-quality learning environments, and this year’s results are a testament to that. These apprentices are not just gaining practical skills, they are building future-proof careers that will help drive innovation, sustainability and excellence across our profession. Apprenticeships continue to play a vital role in tackling skills shortages, supporting economic resilience, and opening life-changing opportunities for young people in every community.”
Full list of SPAY 50 winners with employers and college
BPEC SkillPLUMB Copper Competition
1st – Calum MacRitchie (Malcolm McArthur & Son Ltd / South Lanarkshire College)
2nd – Kai Gray (Cowie Plumbing & Heating Ltd / UHI Moray)
3rd – James Rankin (Eric Hyslop Ltd / Dumfries & Galloway College)
City Plumbing Leadwork Competition
1st – Frazer Graham (Moray Council / UHI Moray)
2nd – Taylor White (H F Group / South Lanarkshire College)
3rd – Sweyn MacAskill (Moray Council / UHI Moray)
MCS Renewable Technologies Competition
1st – Arren John MacMillan (John Frood & Sons / South Lanarkshire College)
2nd – Connor Moir (Energy How Ltd / South Lanarkshire College)
3rd – George Gannicott (A Thomson Plumbing & Heating Services / Borders College)
SNIPEF extends its thanks to category sponsors BPEC, City Plumbing, and MCS, as well as the many employers, colleges and training providers who made this year’s competition possible.
