Two electrical apprentices, Emma Weeks, and Lucy Mortimer went head-to-head and battled it out in the first-ever SPARKS Female Skills 2023 live final on Thursday, 30 March, at Loughborough College, after qualifying for the final earlier in the month.
Emma and Lucy are both from Loughborough College and are studying with JTL, a leading provider of apprenticeships in the electrical industry. They made history by winning their heats at York College and showcasing their skills and expertise during a live practical installation, earning them two places in the final. Yesterday, they competed against four competitors from other colleges and training providers, including other top female apprentices in the country.
The SPARKS Female Skills competition promotes gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated trades. It aims to showcase female apprentices’ talents and abilities and inspire the next generation of women to consider a career in the electrical or plumbing industries. The event was organised by SPARKS magazine and is the first time Loughborough College has hosted the event onsite.
During the final, Emma and Lucy had to link two fire alarms, put together a lighting circuit and finally wire a ring circuit involving two double sockets, a fuse, a switched fuse spur, and a single socket. They had to live test the ring circuit in the shorter afternoon session.
While the competitors battled it out in their competitions, their lecturers and employers listened to lectures by leading manufacturers from their respective industries. Judging took place in the afternoon after the competitions had finished, and then an awards ceremony was held afterwards to announce the winner of the SPARKS Female Skills competition.
The Sparks Female Competition 2023 winner was Jane Thorpe of Suffolk New College, and the runner-up was Jade Norris of Bath College.
Electrical apprentice Lucy Mortimer said, “I feel very proud of myself for being here today, and it would not have been possible without the skills I have gained while attending Loughborough College and working for my employer Eco Lighting in Hinckley.”
Our other apprentice and competitor, Emma Weeks, stated, “It was an honour to be in the final, especially at Loughborough College. The competition was extremely strong, great fun, and a well-organised day.”
Supervising Technician Keith Large from Loughborough College commented, “It’s fantastic for Loughborough College to be chosen to host the first-ever female skills final, which really incorporates our FREDIE values.”
Alongside this, the first-ever HIP magazine Female Skills Competition 2023 was also held at the college, with six finalists also competing for the title. Tiffany Christine Baker of Group Llandrillo Menai won the final, and Adelaide Ruddy from Bath College was announced as runner-up. This competition aims to celebrate and nurture the talent of female plumbing and heating students and apprentices.