• From Apprentice to Technician – Isaac’s journey with ACLJ

    17 Nov 2025 CraigSimpson Comments Off on From Apprentice to Technician – Isaac’s journey with ACLJ

    image: copyright Anglia Picture Agency

    BIG NEWS! 

    We’re incredibly proud to announce that Isaac is now a fully qualified Plumbing and Heating Technician.  After four years of hard work and dedication, he’s officially made the leap from apprentice to qualified professional.

    Why we took on an apprentice

    Back in 2021, as we all emerged from the chaos of the pandemic, we knew it was time to grow the business. But we wanted to do it the right way, by investing in a young person, helping them learn the trade properly, and giving them a real career opportunity. That’s when we decided to take on an apprentice.

    Why Isaac?

    We interviewed seven candidates that December, and honestly, every single one of them impressed us. The determination and work ethic they’d all shown during those uncertain times was incredible, and choosing was genuinely tough.

    But after Isaac’s work experience day with Luke, we knew we’d found our person. His eagerness to learn, his can-do attitude, and his calm, methodical way of working stood out immediately. Nearly four years later, we can say with absolute certainty: we made the right call.

    What he’s achieved

    Isaac arrived with his Level 2 Plumbing qualification already in hand, but that was just the beginning. Since then, he’s worked tirelessly to complete his Level 3 Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician qualification, and absolutely nailed it. This October, he achieved a merit overall and a distinction in his practical assessment, something we are especially proud of. He’s also now a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

    But qualifications are only part of the story. From day one, we made sure Isaac was doing real work, not just shadowing. He’s been learning the trade hands-on, building relationships with our customers, and developing his skills on every type of job under Luke’s guidance. Many of you already know him well, and you’ll have seen first-hand just how capable and professional he is.

    To be honest, we stopped thinking of him as an apprentice quite a while ago.

    What this means for you (and for ACLJ)

    Now that Isaac is fully qualified and working independently, we can gradually take on more work. This won’t happen overnight – we’ll be scaling up carefully and getting used to juggling two diaries! Luke and Isaac will still team up on plenty of jobs, and Luke will very much still be hands-on with the tools. But we’re hoping this will free up some of Luke’s time for surveys, quotes, and all the behind-the-scenes admin that keeps things running smoothly. Lisa will continue to support us part-time with general administration, and the running of the business.

    A massive congratulations to Isaac

    Please join us in celebrating Isaac’s incredible achievement. We’re so proud of him, and we know you’ll continue to welcome him into your homes with the same trust and confidence you always have, because he’s earned it.

    Here’s to the next chapter for ACLJ! 🔧🔥

    A ‘thank you’ 

    We are grateful to East Suffolk Council for awarding us a Business Resilience grant via the HM Government UK Shared Prosperity Fund to allow us to invest in the additional tools and equipment required to enable us to offer Isaac independent work, as well as some marketing activity to spread the word about our increased capacity.

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