I’m 23 currently working in york! I have always wanted to get involved with trucking since I was a kid and my uncle took me out in his total oil truck! I have been reading all the forums about these (middleman) companies! I nearly took the bate as they have been ringing me every day since I looked at the website! I looked in the list of “trusted” training centre and came across TOCKWITH TRAINING these guys seen very professional and I’m going to have a talk with them soon and see what they can offer me and to see wether they think I am capable!
Do you have any tips or things you think I should know?
Is there going to be work out there for me when and if I pass■■?
Should I got do my class 2 see what that’s like then do my class 1, or try and do the lot over the next few months and the start of next year??
And remember that a “yes, there’s jobs available” now may not translate into a job when you want one in 6 weeks time.
And vice versa.
IMO a bit of a waste of time and effort looking for jobs before you’re in a position to take one. A good way to annoy a TM who’s desperate for a driver NOW. I would wait till I’d got the licence then put the effort in. There is no question that there are jobs out there for newbies - and those who put the effort in end up working. Things are certainly on the up, but dont believe stories of tens of thousands of jobs or massive driver shortages.
Thanks guys! just read some things about a lot of companies only taking on over 25’s due to insurance reasons… I’m thinking of quitting my current job to start this career, do you think i should use my holidays at my current job to get my license then wait until after my 25th to start?
Suppose i could always just keep looking while at my current job!
jack_waddington:
Thanks guys! just read some things about a lot of companies only taking on over 25’s due to insurance reasons… I’m thinking of quitting my current job to start this career, do you think i should use my holidays at my current job to get my license then wait until after my 25th to start?
Suppose i could always just keep looking while at my current job!
If you have a full time perm job then stick with it until you can get another in this industry especially in these economically challenging times
I will start by saying good luck with training etc.
Tips with training:
Get in contact with several local INDEPENDENT driving schools(don’t use brokers)
Arrange an assessment with as many as possible, this way you can find out the best prices and trucks, also you’ll get to find which school suits you best.
Ensure that when they give you the price that INCLUDES cost of the initial cpc.
Tips with finding work:
Talk to drivers local to you to find out what the situation is like
If you are not in full time employment at the moment, do some agency work to get the experience under your belt.
Make phone calls, go and visit local companies and just show that you are eager to work.
I’m not going to lie to you though, getting work won’t be too easy as you won’t have experience and you’re under 25(I’m 23 aswell so I know this from experience), but if you put in the footwork and come across enthusiastic and committed you will eventually find someone to give you a chance, I did and other people have managed it too.
But most of all don’t give up and let rejection drag you down, stay positive and all best.
There can never be a guarantee of work, try to strike while the iron is hot and you could be in luck. The firm I am with currently do 80% deliveries of garden flowers so the summer time is actually the busiest. I turned up, got an interview straight away and got an assessment drive 2 days later, I started that evening.
It’s doable, but if you’re not committed, don’t bother.
As I’m 4 years younger than yourself I think you’ll find it substantially easier than I did.
Good Luck mate, Barnsley lad here , you could register with an agency now, get some van experience in on the odd days, then at least you will be able to put on a CV when you pass that you have multi dop experience etc, dealing with paperwork, scanners etc…even if you just do half a dozen shifts you can exaggerate things in CV and interviews etc…
Plenty of work around here if you’re prepared to travel to A1/M1/M62 junctions…
I’d highly recommend Tockwith Training… I did my Class 1 with them after doing my Class 2 with a different company I wasn’t that happy with. They’re not the cheapest but it’s one on one training and you get plenty of actual driving time.
There’s a newish company too, Elmet Driver Training… Based in Sherburn-In-Elmet. The guy is on these forums (check the newbie section) IIRC he’s a ex Tockwith trainer and comes recommend too.
