Eden’s Sagar wins SkillElectric final

Richard Sagar, a 21-year-old electrician employed by Eden Electrics, has won the UK finals of SkillElectric 2008, a challenging two-and-a-half day practical skills competition designed to promote standards and skills across the sector.

Richard competed against nine others from all over the UK, undertaking a series of practical tests that demonstrated their abilities and highlighted their skills.

Contestants from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales faced a series of demanding practical tests based on real-life work situations, including installing units, power circuits and cabling to a high specification, and within tight timescales. Marks were awarded for the candidates’ ability to complete the design, installation and commissioning to an international competition standard with due consideration for health and safety, and the environment.

Winner of the silver medal was Neil Frew from Braid Electrical. Jack Sillito, from WT Parker, took home bronze.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” said Richard. “It was an honour to compete against such talented people and I’m really pleased that I took part. I’d like to thank Eden Electrics because I could never have achieved this award without their support.”

The competition is organised by SummitSkills and sponsored by the ECA, SELECT, ESC, EAL and Electric Center.

SkillElectric is part of Skill M&E – three skills competitions that seek the finest mechanical and electrical engineers in the building services engineering sector. Skill M&E also incorporates SkillFridge for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry and SkillPlumb for the plumbing industry.

The best competitors from the UK finals also have the chance to compete alongside other team-mates in the WorldSkills competition. The biennial event is the largest skills competition in the world and attracts around a thousand contestants from over 50 countries. The next event is in Calgary in 2009.