Plumber in Newton Aycliffe wins top award (From The Advertiser Series)

Plumber in Newton Aycliffe wins top award

6:19pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in News

A TRAINEE plumber has been named as the best in the north of England as he wins a prestigious industry competition.
Matthew Phillippo, a plumbing apprentice at Bishop Auckland College, has won the JB Wilkinson Shield from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers.
The award is contested by level two plumbing apprentices across the North East and Cumbria. It is the first time someone at the Bishop Auckland college has won it since 1968.
Mr Phillippo, 18, works for K Hewitt & Co, in Bishop Auckland, and he has just completed a two year level two apprenticeship in plumbing and domestic heating.
The plumber, of Newton Aycliffe, said: “I’m honoured and privileged to have received such a prestigious award.
I’d like to thank my employer Craig Hewitt, who took me on as an apprentice, and Bishop Auckland College and my tutor Peter Roe for supporting me on my course.”
His prize included £200, a set of tools, text books, a two day underground heating course and a year’s free membership of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers.
His employer Craig Hewitt said: “We’re pleased the hard work and dedication that Matthew has shown over the last two years has been recognised with the award of the prestigious Wilkinson Shield.”