The fifth annual ESG & Friends All-Female Plumbing & Electrical Competition will be held on Friday, March 7, at Oakland College in St Albans.

Up to 10 women will compete in the plumbing skills challenge, which includes a strong press-fit element. Geberit and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) will deliver a press-fit masterclass prior to the challenge.

Heating, plumbing, and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes again backs the competition by supplying more than £1,000.

Bob Noseda, sector skills advisor at organisers ESG, said: “This competition is now in its fifth year, and TG Lynes has been a sponsor since day one. It’s a fantastic partnership that we genuinely value.

“A recent report found that the number of women in construction roles declined last year. This is a shame, as much hard work has been done over the last decade to make the industry more inclusive.

“This competition seeks to shine a light on some of the talented women in the plumbing and electrical trades. For the plumbing side of things, the women will be given an hour-long masterclass from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating in press-fit installation before being given five hours to complete the challenge.

“It’s fun and educational as the competitors will learn new skills they can take forward in their careers.”

This year’s winner will scoop a gas analyser worth £400. The 2024 champion, Daisy Turner of Barking & Dagenham College, went on to win two national plumbing competitions.

Andrew Ingram, TG Lynes' managing director, said, “We must continue to see new people entering the sector to address the skills shortage, and it would be brilliant if more women considered it a career.

“This event proves that there are some very talented women out there who are developing their plumbing skills.”

Anyone wanting to take part can enter Oaklands College from 8:30 a.m. on March 7 or email bnoseda@esglimited.com for more information.