With nearly 30,000 followers and over 87 million hits, Allen has become something of a building services sensation on YouTube. His practical how-to videos and product reviews have garnered the attention of gas installers and plumbers throughout the UK.

Since joining forces with Viva, Allen’s videos have made use of the training provider's state-of-the-art centre based in Halifax, and Viva’s expert trainers. Allen, who runs CCH Leeds, a successful plumbing and heating business, also features Viva trainees in his videos, some of whom are completing work placements with CCH as part of the portfolio element of Viva’s Managed Learning Programme (MLP) for new entrants to the gas industry.

Allen is determined to raise industry standards, and says his videos are designed to educate householders as well as new gas engineers.

“Working with Viva is the icing on the cake for me,” said Allen. “I’m delighted to be helping Richard Firth (Viva’s managing director) in all he’s doing to support new people coming into the industry. I hope we can continue working together to promote the very highest standards and ensure those coming into the industry are properly trained and fit for purpose.”

Mr Firth added: “Allen is a great asset to Viva and we are thrilled to be part of his campaign to educate and support our industry. Like Allen, we’re committed to raising standards, as well as embracing the way people communicate and gain knowledge in the modern world.

“Video content and YouTube has become an extremely important way for people to access information, and by creating an online community through this and other social media platforms like Facebook, we can provide advice, connect people and promote quality and integrity – to Viva trainees and beyond.

“Throughout lockdown, we embraced virtual learning so candidates could at least keep up with the theory element of their training and we will continue to use this and other digital means to ensure our training remains relevant and accessible to today’s learners.”