Rising Star 2025 Shortlist

Daisy Turner

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The qualification you are working towards:

City & Guilds Plumbing & Domestic Heating NVQ Level 3 gas pathway

 

Please provide at least one example of a problem that you have encountered on-the-job and how you worked with your employee to overcome it:

Everyone’s experienced the issues with architects’ drawings where they don’t have the understanding of Plumbing systems. The pipe run plans don’t always work out so having conversations with my employer, other trades and the customer on how to overcome that in the least intrusive way is so important, that everyone is happy with the end result. I was on a project with engineered joists with minimal space for a 4” soil pipe as it is.

The architects specified that the soil runs the length of the house (approx. 9 metres) within the joists. It was impossible to be getting a decent amount of pipe in the joists without a ridiculous number of straight connections in place, but more importantly you wouldn’t have achieved the fall that the waste pipe requires. We had to initially speak to the builder we were doing the project with, who then spoke to the customer to explain our situation and how it wasn’t possible to follow the architects’ drawings.

We then came up with a new design where we would keep the soil pipe as close to the edge of the wall as possible, so when the pipe is to get boxed in, it’s the best situation to allow for the services to the bathrooms without intruding on the rooms below too much.

 

Please provide at least one example of when you have gone the extra mile and/or shown outstanding commitment during your apprenticeship.

Throughout my apprenticeship I feel as though I’ve gone above and beyond what was expected of me. I’ve put myself forward for a range of competitions and awards and slowly but surely collecting a range of accolades. I’ve worked alongside my college for the past few years, where they’ve supported me and pushed me to be the best I can be, but at the end of the day it’s down to me to put myself out there, put myself forward and turn up on the day to do the job or task to the best of my ability, so much so , that I can go home and be proud of my work.

I’ll list my current achievements below:

• March 2022 Runner up at International Women’s Day Competition at Lewisham college.
• May 2022 Winner of Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCoP) Bursary scheme.
• August 2022 Winner of apprentice of the year at BDC.
• Mar 2023 Winner of International Women’s Day Competition at Lewisham college.
• Feb 2024 Winner of HIP LOY regionals.
• Feb 2024 Apprentice of the month at BDC.
• March 2024 Runner up of HIP Female Skills regionals.
• Mar 2024 Winner of International Women’s Day Competition at Lewisham college.
• April 2024 Winner of HIP LOY AND Female Skills Competitions.
• May 2024 Received a special recognition award at WCoP annual lecture for all my hard work in the HIP competitions and professional plumbers’ development scheme.
• June 2024 competed in skill plumb (for WorldSkills) and came 3rd place.
  August 2024 Winner of apprentice of the year at BDC.
• Mar 2025 Winner of International Women’s Day Competition at Oaklands college.
• Mar2025 Semi-finalist in Screwfix trade apprentice of the year.

 

What do you think are three important qualities of a good heating installer and how have you demonstrated these qualities during the initial stages of your career:

Hard working- you need to have the mindset where you’re not afraid of hard work to get the job done and have the system and appliances working correctly.

Patient- the work can really test you at times, but they’re the best experiences to learn from, so if/when you come across a similar problem, you know how to tackle it.

Curious- you have to be interested in the systems and appliances and ask the why or where or how? Asking questions and building on your knowledge and qualification is something no one can ever take away from you.

Joe Styles

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The qualification you are working towards:

City & Guilds plumbing & Domestic Heating NVQ Level 3 and Gas

 

Please provide at least one example of a problem that you have encountered on-the-job and how you worked with your employer to overcome it:

When conducting a boiler service with my employer for a customer, we encountered a problem because the best solution would not be possible to complete that day, therefore I had to assess other options to help the customer in the short term.

While servicing the boiler, I ran the system by firing it up at the maximum rate and found that it reached high temperatures very quickly. I knew that this meant the hot water was not circulating properly, so I recommended to my employer that we isolate and take apart the pump because I believed it was clogged up. The boiler was open vented, so we located it, isolated the pump, removed it from the system and took it apart. As predicted, the pump was full of black iron oxide which was reducing the flow of water through the system.

The blocked pump was preventing the boiler from working correctly, and would be costing the customer more money in energy bills to try and get hot water circulating the house. Also, I knew that the overheating system could cause the boiler to break down altogether, leaving the customer with no heating or hot water, and creating a much more expensive problem for them.

The problem with this situation, was that I knew the best long-term solution for the customer would be to complete a power flush, and I always want to do the best job for my customers. However, at that time of the day, it would not be a suitable solution for the customer and it was not something we would be able to fulfil without re-booking for a full day to complete it. Therefore, I spoke to my employer about how we could help the customer in the short term while booking in for the longer-term solution as soon as we could fit the job in.

I recommended changing the pump for a new one so that although the boiler would still need to work harder to circulate the dirty water, the black iron oxide from the current pump would be removed and the system would be more efficient than it was when we were called out. My employer agreed with the solution, supported my decisions and helped to have the conversations with our customer.

I felt really satisfied with this job because my employer had given me the opportunity to diagnose the problem and make my own recommendations, which he agreed with. But also, because I was able to find a short-term solution that would help the customer, rather than leaving the job knowing what the issue was but unable to do anything about it until we returned for the power flush.

 

Please provide at least one example of when you have gone the extra mile and/or shown outstanding commitment during your apprenticeship.

I’m based in South End, and when attending a job in the local area to fix a fault with a boiler, we encountered an issue that required us to go the extra mile for a customer.

We had been called out on a job by an elderly woman who was having issues with her boiler. This was during a period of cold weather, and she had been without heating and hot water for hours when the job was booked in. After identifying the fault with the boiler, we identified the part that was required to get it back up and running for her.

However, when checking with all of the local suppliers, none of them had the gas valve that we needed available that day and said it would be the next day at the earliest to source it for us.

Me and my employer agreed that it was not an option to leave our vulnerable customer without access to heating and hot water overnight, so we quickly starting calling up suppliers further away to see where we could source the part from. We found a supplier in Romford so updated the customer and immediately set off on the hour-long journey to collect the part. We returned as quickly as possible and got the boiler back up and running for her.

It was a no brainer to me and my employer that we would go the extra mile to source the part and get the boiler repaired as soon as possible for that customer, because in this job you have to look after your customers and assess the impact of something like no hot water on their wellbeing. Our customer was really happy and grateful for the commitment we showed, and was so relieved to have the heating back on.

 

What do you think are three important qualities of a good heating installer and how have you demonstrated these qualities during the initial stages of your career:

There are many qualities needed to be a good heating installer, but the most important one is definitely passion. You cannot be in this job without passion because the work that you are doing directly impacts the comfort and wellbeing of your customers, so it’s really important that you care and are willing to go the extra mile for them. Customers can see my passion when I’m doing my jobs, but also, outside of this I am in a couple of breakdown and gas engineer WhatsApp groups. These groups are useful for finding jobs in the area, but one of the aspects I enjoy the most is engaging with our community and sharing tips or experiences with each other.

Another really important quality for an effective heating installer is to take pride in your work. Your work has to be 100% every single time as it’s such an important trade that does not allow for mistakes. If you do a poor job then you can damage someone’s property or even worse – risk the safety of the customer. My employer and my customers can see I take pride in all of the work I do because when running pipework, I always triple check my work (every joint is soldered, every nut is tightened etc.) to ensure that I have not missed anything that could lead to damage or an issue.

The final quality of the three has got to be punctuality. This is a really important one for building relationships and a professional reputation because customers hate a plumber that is late to a job. To ensure I am always punctual and set a professional example, I always leave plenty of time to arrive at a job to ensure I don’t arrive late. I will also regularly head out to the suppliers in the mornings, to get parts and equipment that we might need and bring them to the office, so that when we head out to a job, we already have what we need and don’t need to divert to pick up supplies.

Kris Main

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The qualification you are working towards:

The City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ and Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating

 

Please provide at least one example of a problem that you have encountered on-the-job and how you worked with your employee to overcome it:

During a recent heat pump installation, we encountered a mysterious pressure drop in the system. This was a concern because a drop in pressure often indicates a leak, which, if left unresolved, could compromise the efficiency and performance of the entire heating system.

Our team worked together to investigate the issue, systematically checking all connections, joints, and pipework. After a thorough inspection, I was the one to identify the exact source of the leak—a small but critical fault that had been overlooked. By taking a methodical approach and double-checking all potential weak points, I was able to pinpoint the problem and bring it to the team’s attention.

Once we found the leak, we quickly made the necessary repairs, repressurised the system, and ensured it was running smoothly before handing it over to the customer. This experience reinforced the importance of attention to detail and problem-solving, two key skills that I strive to improve every day in my role as a heating installer.

During the installation, the system was experiencing a persistent pressure drop, indicating a potential leak. After conducting a thorough inspection alongside the team, I decided to take a more methodical approach. By carefully tracing each section of pipework and monitoring the system over time, I was able to identify the source of the issue — a 22mm tee fitting with a 15mm reducer off the centre that hadn’t been properly pressed during installation.

The incomplete press had caused a small but consistent leak, which made it particularly challenging to spot. By remaining patient and diligent, I was able to locate the fault, ensure the fitting was correctly pressed, and restore the system to full efficiency.

 

Please provide at least one example of when you have gone the extra mile and/or shown outstanding commitment during your apprenticeship.

When Harry, a new apprentice, joined our team, I quickly noticed that he was struggling with certain aspects of running the outdoor unit flow and return pipework. Rather than letting him figure it out on his own, I took the time to explain techniques, share tips, and walk him through the process step by step.

By demonstrating different approaches and encouraging him to ask questions, I helped build his confidence and understanding of best practices. This not only benefited Harry but also improved overall team efficiency, as he was then able to contribute more effectively to future installations.

Supporting a new apprentice reminded me how valuable mentorship and teamwork are in this trade. I believe that sharing knowledge helps us all grow as professionals, and I take pride in helping others develop their skills—just as my mentors have helped me.

 

What do you think are three important qualities of a good heating installer and how have you demonstrated these qualities during the initial stages of your career:

Attention to Detail – Small things make a big difference in heating installations. Whether it’s keeping a clean workspace, double-checking pipework for leaks, or ensuring all connections are secure, I always take the time to make sure the job is done right the first time. My ability to spot the hidden system leak on a recent installation is an example of this quality in action.

Problem-Solving Skills – Every job presents unique challenges, whether it’s a complicated pipe route, a system fault, or troubleshooting installation issues. I enjoy tackling these challenges by thinking critically, working through possible solutions, and collaborating with my team to get the best outcome.

Good Communication – Being a great heating installer isn’t just about technical skills—it’s also about making sure customers feel confident in their new system. After one installation, I noticed the homeowner was unsure about setting up their thermostat. Instead of just leaving, I took the extra time to walk them through the controls in a clear and simple way, ensuring they felt comfortable using their new system.

As I work towards completing my City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ and Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating, I am constantly learning and developing my skills as a heat pump installer. Whether it’s troubleshooting system issues, mentoring new team members, or ensuring customers feel confident with their heating systems, I take pride in my work and always strive to go the extra mile.

I look forward to growing further in my career, taking on new challenges, and continuing to contribute to the future of sustainable heating solutions.

Jessica Rose

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The qualification you are working towards:

City & Guilds Level 3 Gas Operative

 

Please provide at least one example of a problem that you have encountered on-the-job and how you worked with your employee to overcome it:

Having worked on my apprenticeship for six months to date, I have already encountered a number of minor problems that I have overcome myself on a job or with my engineer. These include having to step up to take over the oil servicing, breakdown and installs and learn something completely new that is outside of the scope of my gas qualification and that my engineer hadn’t worked on for some time.

I worked with my engineer to learn how a different fuel source worked and spent 3 months doing this alongside the gas work. We both spent time educating ourselves to make our job on site easier and doing a lot of research. On one job in particular, we were having difficulties on an oil breakdown and in the middle of nowhere. We had phoned the oil boiler brand for technical support and after 45 minutes we were still struggling with their help to diagnose.

I utilised the contacts I had made through social media and got in contact with a female oil engineer- Hollies heating, and we were able to diagnose the fault within a matter of minutes with her help and explanation, this was a great example of collaboration amongst installers, as Hollie has now been introduced to my engineer for future contacts. I have since learned a lot from both her and by working with my engineer Joe on these oil services and breakdowns and now do oil boiler installs alongside gas install.

One property we came to do a conversion at was piped in 8mm copper downstairs and 15mm upstairs with no TRVs on the radiators. After realising all the pipes were extremely tight, everything would require a re- pipe to fit the new lock shields and TRVs into the property. Whilst my engineer was doing the boiler, I took initiative to go round the upstairs radiators and re-pipe every radiator to allow extra room for the TRVs and then went downstairs and re-piped the 8mm pipework to the rads. This meant the tenant would have control over each radiator in the rooms across the property.

Due to being new on oil and my engineer not having worked on oil for 6 years rather than messing around with the boiler parts or liaising with technical helplines which found it difficult due to the age of the boilers, we liaised with Hollie’s heating and obtained advice from an engineer in the field every day.

We followed their recommendation to check that we had power, check if the burner was firing etc and from the information we relayed back to her, she was able to narrow down the faulty part. We then ordered the part and fitted it which confirmed her diagnostic process was correct and saved us a lot of time trying to diagnose through technical. The manufacturer’s instructions due to the age were limited so not as useful as MIs nowadays.

The key takeaway is that your best source of learning comes from each other.

Every day was a learning day and seeing that my engineer was more than happy to accept advice off someone despite doing oil years ago showed that everyone has different strengths and areas of knowledge. We were picking up hints and tips which meant we were leaning for future diagnostic issues. In the future I wouldn’t be afraid to ask people more experienced for help!

 

Please provide at least one example of when you have gone the extra mile and/or shown outstanding commitment during your apprenticeship.

I have shown commitment to learning this trade and developing my dream career as a heating engineer by giving up another career and job after 6 years to become an apprentice and start again at 27, with a house and life to cater around. I dropped my days in my last job to enable me to study my plumbing as a gateway into the industry in my spare time but also to attend event and network to meet incredible tradespeople that inspire me and who have – and continue to – help me on my journey and even supported me in paying for courses knowing that it will repay me in the future as well as now being able to do a job I love.

I think the amount of time and dedication I put in before even getting into the trade (it wasn’t easy to balance a job with going back into education!), as well as my eagerness to learn new skills to better service customers since, are what set me apart in these early stages of my career.

Other than self-funding my level 2 plumbing, I am yet to undertake any further self-funded courses. I have attended two introductions to heat pumps day courses which was really interesting and I will look to do my air source training in the future. I am also looking at going to do my OFTEC for oil 3-day course this year. I have a number of small courses to be booked this year! I would like to do a wiring course which will aid me in the 2nd year of my gas course when I learn heating wiring. Worcester Bosch also provides a breakdown course which I believe would enhance my knowledge on boiler faults alongside training on the install team.

Since starting my social media, I have had a number of males and females approach me asking for advice, information and opinions relating to my training journey, I have referred a number of people to able skills where I started my journey and shared how I find the job as an apprentice. Sharing my experiences has helped others to get an idea of what they want to do and I see a number of them now with their own Instagram logging their journey as I did.

On site, I like to make sure something is always getting done as we are under time schedules for jobs to be completed. I will always ask to be shown a new job if it means I’m helping and not standing around! Recently I have learned to do the oil line on an install job and this means that whilst one of us is piping up the boiler, I can be completing this side ready to connect up at the end. This saves valuable time.

Another example is when I am on site, I am a very organised tidy person. I keep the van tidy and rubbish is organised to ensure efficiency when offloading at the recycling centre. I unload the tools we need and I consistently check and pack away tools when we are finished with them keeping site tidy and improves our efficiency when packing away on site!

 

What do you think are three important qualities of a good heating installer and how have you demonstrated these qualities during the initial stages of your career:

I believe the most important qualities of a good heating engineer are:

Passion – I believe you need to have an interest and a passion for what you are doing – I have dedicated my spare time to developing my skills and learning as much as possible to help me develop and progress.

Attention to detail – I think this is super important if you want to produce good work and be accurate. I would rather take a little longer in the initial stages of learning something new to ensure what I am doing is correct, and to the best standard I can produce. I think caring about your work is important and links back to being passionate about what you produce.

Committed – Any trade requires commitment to developing your skills to a good standard and to allow you to stand out from others, therefore I believe being a committed to learning, progressing and getting better at your trade is important. I have dedicated my time and money over the past 18 months to get into my apprenticeship and to prove I am committed to the role I am in.