Events

SPARKS Learner of the Year 2021
Meet the Lecturer

SPARKS Learner of the Year 2021

The search has begun for the 2021 SPARKS Learner of the Year!

With a new name and a new format, we’re excited to announce the launch of the 2021 SPARKS Learner of the Year competition.

Between January and April, Level 2 and 3 students from colleges nationwide will take part.

ROUND ONE

Two learners from each college will compete against each other to secure their place in Round Two. The competition will take place within their own college on one of the dates listed below.

Each college will enter one of the regional heats depending on their location.

ROUND TWO

The winner from each college will complete a short written test for the chance to represent their region at the Live Final in April.

LIVE FINAL

The six regional winners will compete in the two-day final in April for the chance to become the SPARKS Learner of the Year 2021.

As well as the prestige that comes from winning the competition, there are fantastic prizes up for grabs, with every competitor getting a certificate for taking part. The prizes have been donated by well-known industry names including our platinum sponsor Schneider Electric.

Ben Kidner, of Bridgwater & Taunton College, won the 2019 competition. His advice to those thinking of entering? “Definitely take it up, it’s a big confidence booster and I’ve seen the results. I’ve seen the improvements since day one, especially with the extra hours you do practising.”

You can check out the 2020 regional test here.

If you’re a lecturer and have a Level 2 or 3 student you’d like to enter into the 2021 competition, send us your email address below and we’ll get in touch with the details!

Click here to view the competition terms and conditions.

South West Regional

19/01/2021

Wales Regional

02/02/2021

North East Regional

09/02/2021

Midlands Regional

02/03/2021

South East Regional

09/03/2021

North West Regional

23/03/2021

Grand Final

April 2021 TBC
Schneider Electric

Meet the Lecturer

We are changing the format of our lecturer CPD training - so stay tuned for more information!

For lecturers this is where you can find out about the latest products and services on the market, whilst at the same time gaining free CPD hours.

For manufacturers this is a unique chance to engage with electrical lecturers, the brand ambassadors in the colleges. These events are used to run focus groups, product demonstrations or technical presentations.

sparks meet the lecturer

If you’re a lecturer who is interested in SPARKS Meet the Lecturer, put your email address in the box below and we’ll be in touch.

Any companies who are interested in sponsoring the 2021 events and would like to offer a product demonstration or provide a presentation please send us your email address below and one of the team will be in touch.

The likes of the IET (headline sponsor), Schneider Electric, Hamilton Litestat, Stanley, WAGO and Luceco presented this year.

Testimonials

“Myself and Will were made to feel extremely welcome and had a great time. The experience for the students is invaluable and Will appreciated all of the prizes he received for the regionals and final. As a lecturer it was also good to meet up and chat with fellow lecturer’s to compare opinions.”

Sam Andrews, Lecturer - Petroc College

“It’s a great thing to have on your CV. If an employer is making a decision between someone who has entered a competition as prestigious as this, and someone who hasn’t, it’s a big thing to have.”

Mark Stuart, Brand Manager - Electric Center

“Meet the Lecturer allows you to really connect with the people who are shaping our industry for years to come. The opportunity to discuss various issues and industry topics with those charged with educating the trades professionals of tomorrow is, in my opinion, invaluable.”

Malcolm Duncan, Managing Director - Super Rod

“We are proud to be helping the electricians of tomorrow as they start out on their journey. It’s always great to see the apprentices working with our products throughout the regional heats and the final, as the standard of work is very high.”

Sean Miller, Electrician Channel Manager - Schneider Electric

“I would like to thank you for the special welcome and kind hospitality that we received whilst attending the SPARKS Final. The whole networking experience was fantastic. It was a pleasure to be part of the 10th anniversary final celebrations, which again proved what a fantastic competition this is. I hope that we see you again in the finals next year and we are already looking forward to regional heats.”

Kevin Ashton, Lecturer - Burnley College