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# "I went in, cracked on and came out on top" – Suffolk apprentices head to national finals
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/suffolk-new-college-apprentices-head-to-national-finals/
- Published: 2025-02-27T08:16:27.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:19:56.000Z
- Description: Two determined Suffolk New College students have won regional construction competitions and are now setting their sights on becoming the best in the country.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Further Education, Vocational Education & Training, #article, Suffolk New College, Daly Group, A R Electrical, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** The dual victories in prestigious industry contests showcase the high standard of vocational training in the region and continue Suffolk New College's strong track record in national skills competitions.

![Lawrence Metcalfe and Zack at Suffolk New College preparing for the national SPARKS final](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1740616401-lawrence-metcalfe-and-zack-at-suffolk-new-college-preparing-for-the-national-sparks-final-1.jpg)

Lawrence Metcalfe and Zack at Suffolk New College preparing for the national SPARKS final (Suffolk New College)

**The winning spark:** Zack Bloomfield, 20, from Felixstowe, won the Midland regional Sparks competition, designed to find the best apprentice electrician in the country.

The [A R Electrical](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/a-r-electrical/) trainee beat nine other competitors during a four-hour installation challenge in Corby earlier this month.

Bloomfield will compete in Birmingham on 2 April 2025, facing five other apprentices during a two-day challenge at the JTL Training Centre.

His tutor Lawrence Metcalfe said: "He is a great student and I'm proud of his efforts. He has every chance of winning if he shows focus."

![Owen Breadman and Luke Warren get ready for the HIP finals at the end of March](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1740616433-owen-breadman-and-luke-warren-get-ready-for-the-hip-finals-at-the-end-of-march.jpg)

Owen Breadman and Luke Warren get ready for the HIP finals at the end of March (Suffolk New College)

**Plumbing success:** Luke Warren, 21, from Ipswich, also tasted victory in Corby, winning the Heating Industry Plumbing (HIP) learner of the year regional heat.

The level 3 plumbing apprentice, who works for the [Daly Group](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/daly-group/), beat nine other contestants during a five-and-a-half-hour challenge.

Warren now advances to the national finals in Staffordshire at the end of March.

His tutor Owen Breadman said: "Luke did everything pretty much perfectly. It was brilliant for Luke to win this. He is one of the top students in the country."

**By the numbers:** The college has a track record of success in these competitions, with student Jane Thorp previously winning the first-ever female Sparks competition and placing second in last year's national finals.

**What they're saying:** Bloomfield described his victory simply: "I went in, cracked on and came out on top. It was a nice feeling to win."

He received books, tools and a radio for winning his heat and added: "I'm hoping to go in there, do what I did in the regionals and win. It would be a great achievement."

Warren was equally confident: "I felt confident going into it and it was fun. I was happy. I was allowed some headphones and that helped me relax. I listened to The Kooks. Winning has given me great recognition."

Looking ahead to the finals, he said: "I hope to win it."

**The bottom line:** These regional victories continue [Suffolk New College](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/suffolk-new-college/)'s tradition of excellence in national skills competitions, with both students now preparing to showcase Suffolk's apprenticeship training on the national stage.

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