After an intense two-day final on 23-24 April at the Schneider Electric Innovation Centre in Coventry, Kian Milroy from St Helens College was ultimately named as the winner of this year’s SPARKS Learner of the Year contest. Meanwhile, Jane Thorp from Suffolk New College – last year’s SPARKS female skills winner – earned the runner-up spot.
Speaking on the triumph, Kian comments, “I was shocked to hear my name called out. It has really boosted my confidence. I thought I’d be quite stressed in the competition, but I just paced myself and took one step at a time. I’d say to anyone thinking of entering next year to absolutely go for it. There’s nothing to lose and it’s always a good thing to put on your CV.”
The competition kicked off in January, with Level 2 and 3 electrical students competing in six regional locations across the UK. The judges had a challenging task but ultimately narrowed down the impressive entries to seven finalists at the regional heats, before crowning the winner and runner-up at last week’s grand final.
This year’s event was supported by leading industry names, with Schneider Electric as the platinum sponsor. Additional sponsors included Electric Center, Milwaukee, IDEAL Industries, Aico, The IET, Luceco Lighting, Prysmian, Snickers Workwear, FIX Radio, and NAPIT.
Zoe Tanner, Managing Director at SPARKS, comments, “The final was truly spectacular. Every competitor demonstrated exceptional skill and should all be incredibly proud of their achievements. Congratulations especially goes to Kian for winning the competition. We are eager to see what the next year holds, as the talent this year has certainly established a promising standard for the future of the electrical industry.”
Jennie Tilbry, Electrician Channel Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, adds, “We are thrilled to be supporting the next generation of electricians, as this is a key area for Schneider Electric and we fully support the work SPARKS is doing with students and apprentices across the UK.”
For over a decade, the SPARKS competition has been a pivotal platform for showcasing and celebrating the emerging talent within the UK electrical sector, significantly boosting confidence among the nation’s future electrical experts. Many former competitors have continued to achieve remarkable success, highlighting the competition’s role as a valuable launchpad for aspiring professionals.
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