The heats for the 2016 Skill Electric competition have got off to a flying start with three of the most talented electricians in the country taking the top spots in England and Wales.

In a test of the competitors’ full range of electrical abilities, the following three electricians came out on top of the challenging five hour mock installation test:

Ben Brookes (24) English Midlands – Stoke on Trent College/Hanning, Garin Long (19) Wales – Coleg Gwent/CTE Electrical, Michael Pemberton (22) Southern England  – Petroc Tiverton Campus.

After the completion of all the regional heats, the competitors who score the highest throughout the UK will progress to the grand final at ‘The Skills Show’ at the Birmingham NEC from November 16-19.

The event will see competitors take on a gruelling three day challenge as they all bid to be crowned Skill Electric UK Champion.

Industry charity NET are an official competition partner of World Skills 2016 and their Chief Executive Officer, Iain Macdonald said that the Skills Electric scheme gives a great chance for the industry’s top performers to show off their abilities and technical skill levels needed to work as an electrician.

He commented that this is even more important at a time when the industry needs fresh blood and more young people to consider the vocational route when they finish school, adding his congratulations to Michael, Garin and Ben for their brilliant work so far in winning their regional heats and wished them well in their future careers in the industry.

Dr Neil Bentley spoke on behalf of the World Skills UK Competitions and also congratulated Michael, Garin and Ben for their top work thus far and he too wished them the best for the future.

He added that it has been proven that the World Skills UK Competitions can enhance the training scheme or apprenticeship for a young person by helping them develop crucial employability skills and character traits.