The UK’s youngest installer

Jack Allen UK's youngest qualified installer

Local Plumbers, London

A Q&A with the UK’s youngest ever qualified installer

At the age of 16, Jack has been confirmed as the youngest UK gas safe qualified engineer ever – a huge achievement! We caught up with Jack and his (very proud) dad Darren, owner of Local Plumbers in London, to find out more…

Q Darren, when did you realise Jack was so talented at engineering? Has it always been of interest to him?

Jack just seemed to have a natural engineering mindset from a young age. For example, he used to have a talent for fixing hoovers. Whenever one of our friends had a faulty hoover, he’d go round, take them apart, then fix them up so they were as good as new!

Q How did you make the decision to take him out of school to focus on his passion of engineering?

Whenever we went to parents’ days at his school all the teachers would say ‘all he wants to be is a plumber’, every time. When the first lockdown happened I decided to speak to the school and suggest that Jack went into school one day a week to do his Maths and English, then come out with me for the rest of the time. They agreed and after the lockdown put him forward for training in gas and everything else. The trainer even said that Jack was unbelievable in how advanced he was. So definitely the best decision!

The teachers would say ‘all he wants to be is a plumber’

When I was younger, I used to fix my dad’s lawnmower if it broke down.

Q Jack, when did you realise your skills lay in engineering rather than academics?

I didn’t really like the theory side of school, I always preferred the hands-on subjects. This comes from when I was younger and used to fix my dad’s lawnmower if it broke down. I’d have the tools out of the garage and be straight out there fixing it.

Q What would your advice be to young engineers who are looking to start their careers?

Get the equipment and find someone who knows what they’re doing. A hands-on approach to this industry and learning from someone who is experienced will always put you in good stead. Most importantly you’ve got to stick at it through the rough and smooth.

Darren Allen Director

Local Plumbers, London

Q Having made an amazing start to your career as an engineer already, where would you like to be in the next five years?

I would like to take over Local Plumbers and the other companies in our portfolio and expand our business a bit more.

Q Finally, last question and its one for you Darren. Jack has become the youngest ever qualified gas engineer, how does that make you feel?

It still brings tears to my eyes. It is a massive achievement and we’re all extremely proud. ■

Father and son: Darren and Jack Allen

Local Plumbers, London

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