POTENTIAL plumbers got the chance to try their hand in the real world yesterday – as Swindon College celebrated World Plumbing Day with a cross-county challenge.

Thirty students studying the City and Guild Levels 1 and 2 Plumbing Diploma were given just 45 minutes to fully plumb in a radiator – in front of a live audience of students, teachers and employers.

The three-heat competition also involved plumbing rivals from the City of Bristol College, Wiltshire College, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and Gloucestershire College with the winner receiving a £50 gift voucher.

Gill Mendham, the curriculum area manager for construction at the North Star Avenue college, said students got stuck into the daunting challenge, which could help them gain an apprenticeship.

She said: “It’s so important for the students to get used to the pressure and it is great experience for them to be able to do this, it will help them with their confidence too.

“They have supported and encouraged each other throughout this and some of them have surprised me today.”

Sam Lane, 17, from Springfield Road, Old Town, took part in the competition. He said: “It’s helped me with my study. I wasn’t really nervous during it, you’ve just got to relax and get to work.”

Tim Collins, managing director of Westlea-based Ideal Plumbing Solutions, said he was impressed by the level of talent on offer among the students.

He said: “It’s great that they are getting involved in this – although it must be pretty nervewracking. It’s put them under pressure and gets them used to people watching them working.

“They’re working well as a team. We have taken some people on from here before so I’ll be keeping my eye out.”

Mayor of Swindon, Teresa Page, viewed the event and stressed how important the profession is to society.

“I think plumbing is an essential life skill, it helps with accessing clean water and you can work anywhere in the world,” she said.

“Thanks to Swindon College more young people can learn this skill, get their qualifications and help out in the world. It’s an excellent idea.”

World Plumbing Day is an international event, run by the World Plumbing Council every year to recognise the important role that plumbing plays in the world health and welfare.