A note to new drivers (encouragement)

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hello driving bods, lurkers, trolls and Peter!

I’ve seen over the past few months a few people in a similar situation to myself struggling to find work or people who already working and are looking to make the jump into driving. I thought I’d share my experience in order to help someone else either make a decision on training or just to let you know there is hope for new drivers.

If I may, a bit of background; I’m a new driver, I passed my C+E towards the back end of November last year. I’ve been working in IT for a little over over 20 years and driving is certainly a big career change. I live in South Yorkshire, so keep that in mind as location will also play an important aspect to this story!

I started applying seriously for C+E work in December, having no previous Cat C experience and zero haulage industry experience, too. I did the Indeed thing and applied on-line and got nothing back, at least initially. In part of the application flurry I applied to Eddie Stobarts using their own website and heard nothing back until I was due to go on vacation in February. I had stopped applying and was waiting for a house move to complete before I used the door-to-door method of visiting potential employers face-to-face, something which I’ve seen recommended on here.

The short version of this story is that I went on two assessment drives at their Leeds depot and eventually managed to score a driving job with some mentoring due to my lack of experience.

So, for those of you out there who are wondering if it’s possible to move straight from the office to a truck, yes it is.

Despite the posts I’ve seen about Stobarts on the “adult” section of this site I found them to be quite receptive towards taking on a newer driver and I would recommend anyone in a similar position to at least give them a try.

Yes they’re a larger organisation; I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of HR, H&S and other red tape, but in any organisation you’re going to get that.

I have a two day induction over at Warrington and they’re organising a hire car and a hotel and so far they’ve been on-the-ball.

Obviously we’ll have to see how it all goes, but I’m excited to get in there and learn.

If anyone is interested in the in’s and out’s of working for them as a newbie to both the company and to driving, let me know!

2

I remeber UKTramp being this excited about his start on stobrats :laughing:

Genuinely though,good luck with it fella…must be so disheartening to pass your test then struggle to find employment.

3

xichrisxi:
I remeber UKTramp being this excited about his start on stobrats :laughing:

Genuinely though,good luck with it fella…must be so disheartening to pass your test then struggle to find employment.

I realise I’m seeing this through a newbs eyes and I know they won’t be perfect but they can’t be any worse than working for the government! :smiley:

4

If your first driving job is with a bigger outfit then that will be the norm for you.
Troubles may occur when someone used to a smaller less regimented outfit moves into a bigger one? Hence the critical posts etc.
I wouldn’t knock either way of working for anyone else. Both have ups and downs.
Get in there and enjoy it!

Sent from my GT-S7275R using Tapatalk

5

Good luck with the move. Stobarts are what they are - and if they are giving you a start then go with the flow. Smaller companies are wildly different :wink: , but if you don’t find Stobbies are a good fit, you can always move on after a year with the magic experience.

6

Good luck Let us know how you get on I am in the same boat , passed C+E 2 weeks ago and Stobarts are one of the few places that seem willing to give newbies ago. I intended to give them a miss but if they’ll give me a start then I’ll certainly give em a go

7

I went there as a class 1 driver with 6 months experience, so still pretty much a newbie.

The training in all fairness is thorough and will serve you well. Trucks are decent and the work is clean and easy. Pay is ’ equivalent ’ to over £10 per hour with your tax free meal allowances and it’s an ideal place to learn your trade.

I actually work next door to the training academy so I will keep an eye out for you lot when I’m parking my unit up :wink:

(Quick word of warning though, if you leave before 12 months service, they will ’ charge ’ you for the 2 day induction which counts as 2 CPC modules, and they will also charge you for your uniform. Around £300 in total :open_mouth: )
There are ways to avoid this and leave early but it’s my trade secret :wink:

8

Maybe wait until you try stobprats before getting excited.Not being funny but they are preasure merchants, especially on new drivers .
Good luck pal .

9

I think applying directly through company websites is great. Its how i got my job.

I got my start with brakes. Also a large firm and one with not the best reputation. I’ve found them better than what many say. And as a new pass they’ve been pretty decent towards me. Plus working for a big firm the extra benefits are ok, the pay rise nice. And i don’t mind the red tape. Jobs are what you make of them and it pays the bills at the end of the day.

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10

Murray P:
Good luck Let us know how you get on I am in the same boat , passed C+E 2 weeks ago and Stobarts are one of the few places that seem willing to give newbies ago. I intended to give them a miss but if they’ll give me a start then I’ll certainly give em a go

Nothing wrong in working for them, getting that experience and moving on to something better. A starts a start.

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11

eagerbeaver:
(Quick word of warning though, if you leave before 12 months service, they will ’ charge ’ you for the 2 day induction which counts as 2 CPC modules, and they will also charge you for your uniform. Around £300 in total :open_mouth: )
There are ways to avoid this and leave early but it’s my trade secret :wink:

:unamused: :unamused: :unamused:

Never heard anything like it. Charging you for training they insist you do. And charging you for uniform they insist you wear. Just because you have the temerity to want to leave their employment.

I’d be parking up and having a long sleep all day. And the next day. And I’d be explaining to the transport I would drive when I’m ready and do the job in my own sweet time. I’m sure they would soon ask me to come back to the depot and explain my services were no longer required.

Do they dock your wages if you are sacked?

12

eagerbeaver:
(Quick word of warning though, if you leave before 12 months service, they will ’ charge ’ you for the 2 day induction which counts as 2 CPC modules, and they will also charge you for your uniform. Around £300 in total :open_mouth: )
There are ways to avoid this and leave early but it’s my trade secret :wink:

Since when’s getting yourself the sack been a trade secret :wink:

13

I’ve actually got a driving assessment with Stobarts on Thursday, they’re one of the very few firms that will give me a chance due to my age. I’ve had firms tell me they’d take me without 2 years experience etc but can’t insure somebody who’s only 21 years old on their policy without paying an added premium (around 2.5k one local firm told me)

Should I pass the assessment, I’ll try to make the best of the situation, but I can’t lie I’m not excited at the prospect of driving for Stobarts.

14

Redrum:
I’ve actually got a driving assessment with Stobarts on Thursday, they’re one of the very few firms that will give me a chance due to my age. I’ve had firms tell me they’d take me without 2 years experience etc but can’t insure somebody who’s only 21 years old on their policy without paying an added premium (around 2.5k one local firm told me)

Should I pass the assessment, I’ll try to make the best of the situation, but I can’t lie I’m not excited at the prospect of driving for Stobarts.

A start is a start. Get 6 months and doors open, trust me. May still have issues due to your age but the experience will help counter that in future

15

Redrum:

eagerbeaver:
(Quick word of warning though, if you leave before 12 months service, they will ’ charge ’ you for the 2 day induction which counts as 2 CPC modules, and they will also charge you for your uniform. Around £300 in total :open_mouth: )
There are ways to avoid this and leave early but it’s my trade secret :wink:

Since when’s getting yourself the sack been a trade secret :wink:

Beaver sacked? I can’t believe that would ever happen to him! :smiley:

16

XPO Logistics give young and newly qualified drivers a chance.

You need to pass a driving assessment and of course have the right attitude, which means a pleasant demeanour, and the desire and ability to work to a professional standard, take care of the vehicle and it’s load, and show respect to customers.

If you can do these things they are a decent firm to work for.

17

ChaosFleabag:
Hello driving bods, lurkers, trolls and Peter!

If I may, a bit of background; I’m a new driver, I passed my C+E towards the back end of November last year. I’ve been working in IT for a little over over 20 years and driving is certainly a big career change. I live in South Yorkshire, so keep that in mind as location will also play an important aspect to this story!

This is almost a carbon copy of my route to a class 1 job. I was 20 years in IT too, the last 2 years of which were killing me mentally and affecting my health and family due to the hours.

I passed my Class 2 in Sep last year and went straight to Class 1 training a few weeks later and passed that too.
I started with agency work in December and scored some shifts with a big well known operator in Coatbridge. They asked for me back on a regular night shift and 12 weeks later, they took me on full time. I’ve been there ever since and loving it. It’s a novelty to be only working 50 to 60 hours a week!!

The jobs are out there but you may need to take some agency work initially to show potential employers that you’re in the saddle so to speak. Once you’ve got those placements in the bag and time on your digi card to back it up, you have something tangible to go into interviews/ assessments with :slight_smile:

18

sammym:

eagerbeaver:
(Quick word of warning though, if you leave before 12 months service, they will ’ charge ’ you for the 2 day induction which counts as 2 CPC modules, and they will also charge you for your uniform. Around £300 in total :open_mouth: )
There are ways to avoid this and leave early but it’s my trade secret :wink:

:unamused: :unamused: :unamused:

Never heard anything like it. Charging you for training they insist you do. And charging you for uniform they insist you wear. Just because you have the temerity to want to leave their employment.

I’d be parking up and having a long sleep all day. And the next day. And I’d be explaining to the transport I would drive when I’m ready and do the job in my own sweet time. I’m sure they would soon ask me to come back to the depot and explain my services were no longer required.

Actually paying for training is pretty standard, we have a clause in our contract to pay back the cost of training - it’s a percentage of the course based on how long you have stayed. And technically, there is a replacement uniform cost as well.

In reality we have never imposed either, but say someone came to us and we put him through his ADR which we do almost immediately they start, they take the course and then say they are leaving with an ADR that I have paid for. Then yes in that scenario I would look to retrieve the cost.

19

ChaosFleabag:
Hello driving bods, lurkers, trolls and Peter!

I’ve seen over the past few months a few people in a similar situation to myself struggling to find work or people who already working and are looking to make the jump into driving. I thought I’d share my experience in order to help someone else either make a decision on training or just to let you know there is hope for new drivers.

If I may, a bit of background; I’m a new driver, I passed my C+E towards the back end of November last year. I’ve been working in IT for a little over over 20 years and driving is certainly a big career change. I live in South Yorkshire, so keep that in mind as location will also play an important aspect to this story!

I started applying seriously for C+E work in December, having no previous Cat C experience and zero haulage industry experience, too. I did the Indeed thing and applied on-line and got nothing back, at least initially. In part of the application flurry I applied to Eddie Stobarts using their own website and heard nothing back until I was due to go on vacation in February. I had stopped applying and was waiting for a house move to complete before I used the door-to-door method of visiting potential employers face-to-face, something which I’ve seen recommended on here.

The short version of this story is that I went on two assessment drives at their Leeds depot and eventually managed to score a driving job with some mentoring due to my lack of experience.

So, for those of you out there who are wondering if it’s possible to move straight from the office to a truck, yes it is.

Despite the posts I’ve seen about Stobarts on the “adult” section of this site I found them to be quite receptive towards taking on a newer driver and I would recommend anyone in a similar position to at least give them a try.

Yes they’re a larger organisation; I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of HR, H&S and other red tape, but in any organisation you’re going to get that.

I have a two day induction over at Warrington and they’re organising a hire car and a hotel and so far they’ve been on-the-ball.

Obviously we’ll have to see how it all goes, but I’m excited to get in there and learn.

If anyone is interested in the in’s and out’s of working for them as a newbie to both the company and to driving, let me know!

Hi Chaosfleabag
Just out of curiosity did you apply for any class 2 work when you got your c licence? I passed my Class c a while ago and have had not much luck.

I am thinking of doing my class 1 and there is a stobarts depot about 30 miles from me. I reckon I could cope with a 60 mile round commute if I was a tramper.

regards T

20

Franglais:
If your first driving job is with a bigger outfit then that will be the norm for you.
Troubles may occur when someone used to a smaller less regimented outfit moves into a bigger one? Hence the critical posts etc.
I wouldn’t knock either way of working for anyone else. Both have ups and downs.
Get in there and enjoy it!

I figure a larger company is where the good move would be, in terms of experience and exposure!
Regardless of how well, or bad, it goes. It’s experience I can use for the future