Finlay Gallagher has become the UK’s youngest qualified digger operator at the age of 13.
JCB said Gallagher passed the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) recently after spending his summer holidays learning and practicing how to operate such a machine.
Gallagher was required to take a practical and theory exam at the Flynne Plant Training Centre in Essex.
To pass the exam he had to prove his knowledge with the safety of operating the machine, and display his range of proper techniques when digging, lifting and loading.
JCB said that Gallagher’s grandfather, Pat Gallagher founded the the Kent-based Gallagher Group over 50 years ago, where Finlay Gallagher’s father Stephen Gallagher is now the director.
The family-owned company has specialised in groundworks, aggregates, civil engineering and property development since 1973, now employing over 500 workers.
This has allowed Finlay Gallagher to get plenty experience within the sector, and is where his love of diggers grew.
Gallagher stated that he has loved diggers since he was three-years-old, with one of his grandfathers bringing him for spins in his bulldozer and his other grandfather bringing him for spins in his diggers.
Gallagher said: “I definitely see my future in the construction industry. My grandad Pat started the Gallagher Group, and it would mean a lot to me to play a part in helping the business continue to grow.
“This qualification is a great first step, and I’m keen to build on it by learning to operate more types of plant machinery.”
Flynne Plant Training, trainer Derek Mansfield said: “Finlay was one of the most enthusiastic and capable young candidates we’ve had.
“His control of the machine and understanding of how it operates was far beyond what you’d expect at his age.”
He added that Gallagher proved himself by showing his natural skills and should be proud of himself for officially becoming the UK’s youngest digger driver.
Gallagher Group chairman, Pat Gallagher, said: “I am exceptionally proud of Finlay and everything he has achieved.
“He has shown an incredible passion and interest for machinery from an early age, and this course has given him a chance to deepen his knowledge and ability.”
Pat Gallagher said he was “blown away” watching his grandson’s talent with the machines, he added this success gave him hope for future generations and hopes Finlay Gallagher can inspire more young drivers.
JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford said: “I wholeheartedly applaud Finlay’s achievement. He is a talented young man who has demonstrated at a very young age just how simple and intuitive it is to operate today’s JCB diggers.”
Gallagher got to celebrate by visiting the JCB groundworker’s day where he was gifted a model from Lord Bamford and got the opportunity to drive the hydrogen-powered JCB backhoe loader.
