Hugh Baird College Plumbing Apprentice Wins Northern Regional Title at HIP Female Skills Competition 2026
A plumbing apprentice from Hugh Baird College has been named the winner of the Northern Regional heat of the HIP Female Skills Competition 2026 and will now go on to compete at the national grand final in April.
Evie Balfour, who is completing a Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Apprenticeship with Lindsey Plumbing Services in Liverpool, won the regional heat held at Wigan and Leigh College. The competition involved a live practical installation, judged by an industry panel that assessed technical skill, precision, and creativity.
HIP Female Skills is a national competition designed for female plumbing students, giving them the chance to showcase their technical abilities, build confidence and connect with peers in the trade. The competition also provides an opportunity for participants to win a range of prizes while celebrating the next generation of women in plumbing.
Evie has been a student at Hugh Baird College since 2023, initially enrolling on a Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing before progressing to her current apprenticeship.
Reflecting on her win, Evie said:
I wasn’t expecting to win, but it was an amazing experience. I’m really grateful for all the support and help from the College that got me to this point. It was quite a stressful day trying to get everything completed in such a short time, but it was great to meet other people in the competition, and overall, it went really well. I even won some great prizes, including a Milwaukee radio and a Myra shower.
Lindsey, owner of Lindsey Plumbing Services, said:
I’m incredibly proud of everything Evie has achieved during her time with us. She’s never afraid to get stuck in and will take on any challenge that comes her way. Her confidence has grown so much, and winning the competition heat is a fantastic reflection of that. Evie is hardworking, dedicated, and a real asset to my business.
Andrew MacAvoy, Plumbing Lecturer at Hugh Baird College, said:
Evie has done brilliantly. When she first came to us on the Level 2 course, you could see the potential, and she’s gone from strength to strength. To win a regional heat of a national competition against strong competition takes real technical ability, and I know she’ll give a great account of herself at the grand final.
Evie will now compete in the grand final of the HIP Female Skills Competition in April, where she will face regional winners from across the country.
Hugh Baird College, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, offers a wide range of construction courses, and applications are now open for September across a range of construction trades, including plumbing, bricklaying, electrical installation and more.
To find out more or to apply, visit: hughbaird.ac.uk/subject-area/construction-the-built-environment .
