WJA Awards 2026 – How Alfie Jones fell in love with the drainage industry and now has a new goal
Alfie Jones had high hopes of becoming a professional footballer. Then a devastating knee injury cut short his career.
Now, though, a positive attitude, matched by determination to succeed, has led the 19-year-old to a new life in the drainage industry.
He has also been named Young Person of the Year in the inaugural WJA Awards.
Football hopeful to loving drainage
Alfie had been a talented striker in the Charlton Athletic Academy until, aged 17, a dislocated knee ended his hopes of becoming a professional player.
Over the next 18 months, he then applied for 90 jobs and 40 apprentices with no luck, until WJA member Flow 3 Drains invited him in for an interview.
Alfie says: “I was told it would be a 15-minute chat and it lasted over an hour. I was then given a three-day trial.
“In those three days I fell in love with drainage. I never knew how much was involved in it and how fascinating it is.
“I said I’d really enjoy doing this as a job, and at the end of the trial they offered me a chance to do it, with a start date.
“I was over the moon. Since then, it’s been go, go, go. I’m doing a property maintenance apprenticeship and learning more every day.”
Alfie’s positive attitude ‘shone out’
Alfie started with Flow 3 Drains, based in Dartford, Kent, in October 2025. After excelling as an assistant across all the company’s services, in February 2026 he was offered his own van.
Flow 3 Drains Contracts Manager Paul Smith, who had interviewed Alfie, says: “We don’t often put so much trust in someone so soon.
“But, though Alfie was just 18 when he joined us, his attitude, his willingness to work hard and his clear talent shone out.
“He’s always determined to learn and help his colleagues, and in return they’ve helped him, which has accelerated his learning.
“It meant we were confident he could run his own van. We’ve made sure he’s been fully supported throughout and he’s doing a brilliant job.
“When we saw the WJA Awards and the young person of the year category we thought straight away that’s Alfie, and we’re delighted he’s won. He deserves it.
“It’s a credit to our whole operational team that they’ve given him the support he’s needed to do so well.”
How WJA training gave Alfie confidence
The City & Guilds-accredited WJA training Alfie has received has, he says, also been vital. It’s given him the confidence and awareness he needs to do his job.
He completed the Safety Awareness course and the Drain, Sewer and Gun practical module to achieve WJA operational certification.
Later, he became one of the first drainage operatives to sit and pass the WJA’s new City & Guilds-accredited Drain CCTV stand-alone course.
“The training was good because it opened my eyes to what water jetting is all about,” says Alfie. “It explained a lot and has made me realise how safety is so important because of the risks involved.
“It gave me a focus on doing the job right, and the Drain CCTV course has given me the confidence to build my skills in drain surveying, to identify and record faults and put in place the right solutions.”
It also helped give Alfie the confidence to work solo in his own drainage van. “I do get some double looks from people, probably thinking, he’s young,” he says.
Alfie is a worthy winner – WJA director
“But when I show I know what I’m doing, and can solve their problems, they’re more than pleased I’m there. It’s great to leave people so happy, it gives you a real buzz.”
WJA Director Leanne Smith is certain Alfie Jones is a worthy WJA Award winner.
She says: “We received a lot of great entries. The nominees who came second and third were also brilliant, but Alfie is a worthy winner, and I have no doubt he can build a successful career.
“We’re recognising the work and talents of young people because they’re the future of the water jetting industry.
“We want more people like Alfie to see how working for WJA members delivering all forms of water jetting can give you great careers.”
Alfie’s career advice – try drainage
Alfie says he was shocked to win the WJA Award and being presented with it at the awards night on the 18th September “was one of the proudest moments of my life”.
He thanks everyone at Flow 3 Drains for giving him a chance and their full support: “The company is so great, it’s like a family.”
He has even put his dream of being a professional footballer behind him.
“Drainage is now my life,” he says. “I just want to keep learning and keep progressing. My goal is to, one day, have my own company.”
And, what would he say to other young people wondering about a route into work?
“Try the drainage industry. You won’t regret it. This has been one of the best year of my life. You just need the right mindset. You’ll be more than happy.”
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Telephone: +44 (0) 208 320 1090
Email: info@waterjetting.org.uk