I am currently with a HGV bootcamp doing my theory, before starting my C and C+E lessons. I am exited about starting my HGV journey, and as such I am exploring my long-term career options.
I know that for the first few months–or even years–my options will be limited, due to being inexperienced and thus not as attractive to companies. That said–after I’ve got some experience under my belt–im hoping to upgrade my skills by working towards one of the specialisms in the industry. The two that I am most aware of is the ADR license–of which I believe there are 9 sub-classes; and the HIAB license. I am just wondering if either of the two is considered a better option; particularly in terms of the hourly wage that it commands, but also other factors.
Having a hiab “ticket” won’t do you very much good at all without the requisite experience.
Having your ADR Driver Training Certificate is generally enough to get the extra work, nowhere near as much “experience” needed, especially doing curtainsider work with packages: as long as you can secure your load and know what needs to be kept segregated from non-compatibles, you’ll be fine.
And… doing ADR can get you most of your DCPC hours for your next DQC.
However, check to see what work is available in your area, there may or may not be much ADR available.
I am currently with a HGV bootcamp doing my theory, before starting my C and C+E lessons. I am exited about starting my HGV journey, and as such I am exploring my long-term career options.
I know that for the first few months–or even years–my options will be limited, due to being inexperienced and thus not as attractive to companies. That said–after I’ve got some experience under my belt–im hoping to upgrade my skills by working towards one of the specialisms in the industry. The two that I am most aware of is the ADR license–of which I believe there are 9 sub-classes; and the HIAB license. I am just wondering if either of the two is considered a better option; particularly in terms of the hourly wage that it commands, but also other factors.
Would appreciate any info on the matter.
George
Hi George, congratulations on getting on the boot camp!
I drove fuel bowsers air side in the RAF but not as a civilian and its interesting work.
As part of CPC I did the ADR course, you do 7 of the 9 as explosives and radio active are separate courses. The people I met on the course were split, half did not want the ADR licence because they didnt like the work but their firms put them forward and the rest were doing well out of it earning around £750 a week net. There was one guy who collected domestic clinical waste (Cancer drug leftovers etc), he was on £27/hour as an owner Transit Van driver so there is money to be made but more generally I don’t think it gives much more pay than general haulage!
After completing my class 2, I did both. I did 7 modules for ADR in both packages and tankers and also did ALLMI HIAB with hook, brick grab, clam shell and remote.
HIAB was a complete waste of time for me. Mainly because most of the employers either wanted something other than ALLMI or wanted you to do their own training anyway.
ADR has been more useful in the respect that a few contracts I have had required ADR occasionally and were not really looking for people with experience, just the ticket to make the job legal.
Most HIAB employers are looking for experience whereas ADR they just want the legal requirement to have the certification.
At least that has been my experience in the year or so I have had my license. I certainly won’t be renewing my HIAB when it expires, but I will keep my ADR current.
Steevo25:
After completing my class 2, I did both. I did 7 modules for ADR in both packages and tankers and also did ALLMI HIAB with hook, brick grab, clam shell and remote.
HIAB was a complete waste of time for me. Mainly because most of the employers either wanted something other than ALLMI or wanted you to do their own training anyway.
ADR has been more useful in the respect that a few contracts I have had required ADR occasionally and were not really looking for people with experience, just the ticket to make the job legal.
Most HIAB employers are looking for experience whereas ADR they just want the legal requirement to have the certification.
At least that has been my experience in the year or so I have had my license. I certainly won’t be renewing my HIAB when it expires, but I will keep my ADR current.
This is certainly the impression that I’ve received after spending a few weeks browsing through job listings for ADR and HIAB roles–thank you for the response.
Having not done ADR I can’t comment, but as stated above Hiab is more than just a knowledge thing.
It requires a lot of judgement and a level of dexterity to keep loads under control and place them safely etc. Sometimes the loads can be delicate / fragile, expensive or in an area that has other complications risks.
Depending on the nature of the load, there can be a lot more at stake than simply a self load / unload operation. Possibilities for expensive mistakes and accidents are high.
Some companies will provide training appropriate to the work they do and will train accordingly.
But largely you will find the age old no experience no job, no job no experience problem cropping up.