Applying for Jobs

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

After passing my class 2 license I’m about to complete my module 2 and 4 CPC. I have already applied for my Digital Tacho Card and nearly ready to apply for jobs. My aim is to keep my full time job for the time being and work on my day’s off through agency work. I live near Swansea and I have contacted Swift Recruitment in Newport who stated that they do offer ad hoc work so that will probably be the firm I register with. Anyone else have experience in doing what I intent to do or experience in working for Swift agency?

Any help would be grateful

2

I do something very similar. But not through swift agency.

The reality they will have shifts when they have them - and not when you want them usually. Sometimes it overlaps.

Expect to be offered some 7.5t work. That’s no great hardship - as it’s easier than class 2 work (although usually not as comfortable to drive). And it usually only pays 50p/hour less.

Here are some realities I’ve come to learn:

  1. You can’t tell how long a job will take. I’m paid a minimum of 8 hours. And sometimes I’m done in 3 hours. But I’ve come in very close to 15 hours before. So if you need to be back for another job beware of this.

  2. Make sure you ask what the job is. One hit deliveries or trunking is fine. However you could be stitched up doing deliveries for car parts… where you have to find the right door to unlock the dealership, deactivate the alarms and then pull cages off. And you have to so that 8-12 times per shift. It’s no fun and you will run out of hours. And they will expect you to load an engine on your own in pitch black.

  3. Don’t expect there to be a lot of help and support on weekends or on nights. They are generally running the minimum staff they can.

  4. Most of this sort of work is last minute or something else has gone wrong. So you need to have your head on. You might have the old nail truck in the yard as the normal one is broken down with the driver waiting to be recovered.

  5. It can be a lot of fun and you will get to see some cool stuff/places.

3

Thanks for the reply. Do you do any long distance driving or does it mostly seem to be local stuff?

4

jaustin123:
Thanks for the reply. Do you do any long distance driving or does it mostly seem to be local stuff?

Really depends on what the job is mate. I wouldn’t say I’ve done any super long distance stuff. I’ve not ventured off the mainland. But being based in the Midlands I can get around a bit.

On class 2 it’s more likely you will stay more local doing a bit of adhoc driving. But don’t be shocked if you are sent somewhere that’s a couple of hundred miles away.

5

Long time aim is to be long distance I think so would be nice to do a little bit of that.

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jaustin123:
Long time aim is to be long distance I think so would be nice to do a little bit of that.

Then ask for some night shifts. More likely to get distance runs on them.

I’m far far from an expert - but I’m guessing long term you are going to need class 1 for that mate. i’m not saying there are not any class 2/van distance jobs - but I think it’s much more common for artics.