UHI Moray Plumbing apprentice takes runner up in the HIP Magazine Northern Regional Skills Competition 2025
UHI Moray are delighted to announce that 2nd Year Plumbing apprentice Kiera Pybus from Elgin has been awarded runner up in the 2025 HIP Magazine Female Skills Competition despite it being her first ever competition.
Kiera aged 20 works for G&A Barnie Group and is in her 2nd Year Modern Apprenticeship in Plumbing. From Elgin and a former pupil at Elgin Academy, Kiera competed in the Judo GB squad for many years before leaving school. Her first job was working as a casual receptionist with Moray Leisure Centre however, she always wanted to enter a trade but was unsure whether that should be Electrical or Plumbing.
It was when she took the opportunity to undertake a work placement with a local plumbing company, she decided on the plumbing route which then led her to applying for an apprenticeship with G&A Barnie in 2023. Kiera loves the variety her job offers, mainly within the commercial industry and different places she has been so far.
Kiera is very grateful to her manager for giving her the time off to take part in the competition and despite being very nervous for her first competition she is looking forward to attending the final on 29th April in Huddersfield where she will perform against 5 other finalists. Kiera is also a candidate for the Scottish heat for the WorldSkills Plumbing on 13th June at South Lanarkshire College.
"Kiera is a hard-working student who tackles all her college tasks with enthusiasm and commitment. To become second in the competition for her very first attempt is very impressive"
Jim MacKinnon, Deputy Head of Curriculum Construction
"We are all very proud of Kiera and her success at the HIP Magazine Northern competition. Being runner up in her first competition is an outstanding achievement, particularly in light of the high standards being set. The placing reflects the dedication, and hard work Kiera has put in, in honing her skills. We are sure that this outstanding performance has given Kiera a lot of confidence leading up to the grand finale at the end of April. Kiera continues to be encouraged and supported by her manager Alan Henderson, and her colleagues. We wish her well."
Jamie Sinclair, G&A Barnie Group