SummitSkills' SkillELECTRIC 2008 champion Richard Sagar has returned victorious from WorldSkills in Calgary, Canada – the largest skills based competition in the world – beating off tough opposition to win Gold in the Electrical Installations contest.

Twenty-two year-old Richard from Langholm in Dumfriesshire, was one of 26 young talented individuals representing Team UK in the competition, along with twenty-two year-old Christopher Lonsdale, the UK SkillPLUMB champion in 2008, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham.

Christopher was also successful in the Plumbing & Heating contest, taking home a Medallion of Excellence, given to competitors who achieve at least 500 points, deemed the world class standard.

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Richard commented of his victory: "To hear my name announced as winner of Gold in the Electrical Installations competition, was the most amazing feeling. The last year has been incredible for me, firstly being crowned SkillELECTRIC UK champion by SummitSkills, and then going on to train and compete against the best young electricians in the world, in the trade I love - I couldn't ask for more.

"My employer Eden Electrics has been really supportive of me, along with my SECTT my training provider, and they are going to be thrilled I've won Gold. I can't wait to celebrate with my friends and family back in the UK."

Keith Marshall OBE, Chief Executive of SummitSkills added: "Taking part in WorldSkills is a huge achievement in itself but coming away with two awards for the building services engineering industry is an astounding success. Since being crowned SkillELECTRIC and SkillPLUMB UK champions, Richard and Christopher have worked tremendously hard to earn their places on the UK Team and they have truly done us proud. The world-class skills they have demonstrated are vital to the future success of our industry."

(GK/KMcA)