As some of you may know, I’ve set the ball rolling and have my class 2 booked for mid July. Already passed all Mod 1 & 2.
For some background, I’m currently an apprentice at an engineering consultancy, and although this may sound good, its far from it. Of course there are pro’s and con’s, but I need somewhere to lay the facts, because at the end of the day, I sit in an office looking at a blank screen and rarely have work, whilst having to hide doing nothing from the big bosses Although 8-4 5 days a week and 40 days holiday is a bonus.
One of the guys here has been doing great recently and I’ve found out what sort of wages I can be expecting in the coming years, and fair to say its well overestimated what an engineer makes. He is almost 30 and still doesn’t clear 2k a month BEFORE tax, so as I’m sure you can imagine its a long road to the top. I’m currently on 12.5k, take home £970 a month, of which £220 goes straight back into a train ticket just to turn up
My father has done class 1 since he was 21, and has said if I don’t enjoy what I’m doing then there’s no point staying, which is a moral he lives by and has always been relatively happy by it. He works for a small family business with around 7 lorrys, although the owner is looking to increase his operators license in the coming year(s). Dad tramps Mon-Fri and I pick him up every Friday, everyone is at the yard, always a good bit of craic, and when I heard they may be expanding I jokingly mentioned when do I start, to which I got told as song as I get class 1. Whether this is serious or a laugh back, who knows, however my thoughts are as follows
Also note my pay is suspected to raise to 17.5k during second year of my apprenticeship (August marks 12 months here), and I’ve just turned 19 end of April
Get class 2 done, go onto rigids straight away. If I enjoy it, get class 1.
Get class 2 done, wait a year or two until I finish my apprenticeship then onto rigids so that I have a back up option if I decide its not for me.
Get class 2 done, keep working where I am, do class 1 in a few weeks/months and see if possible to get a few Saturday shifts under either an agency or the above company I have mentioned. Again, this will give a small insight into the job/industry whilst still having my current job, and can stick whatever I prefer.
I know the main arguments will be money spent on training, but please try ignore this factor for the time being
If it was me I’d go with option 2, keeping in mind truck driving isn’t likely to get better (for the drivers) in the coming decades where as engineering…hmm…
If you’re only 19 (or 20 next year) and the vast majority of your time at work is spent pretending to work (i’ve had a job like that before except the boss was fine with me just browsing autotrader etc. lul) why not use that time to try other things, like software development aka. programming? Honestly if I was 19 and had an aptitude for engineering or science or math I’d never look into driving but that’s just me + hindsight.
Most apprenticeships have gone from genuine training to laughably bad ways to screw employees (ultra low wages) while the company gets paid a lot for “training” at taxpayers expense.
First thing I would figure is whether this apprenticeship is actually leading to a recognised transferable qualification, if theres any use for it outside that company. NVQs are usually worthwhile but there are plenty of qualifications which are worthless.
If its not worth keeping then driving might be worth it but be warned, there aren’t that many brilliant paying jobs out there unless you can demonstrate years of experience. I do class 1 nights and am only just pushing over 2K a month and thats nowhere near unusual.
Age wont help in your case trying to get driving work as some insurance companies wont touch below 21. Just the same as “no experience” - its a pain although you might find some jobs like Brakes might. This company might too but could depend if they do only tramping and if they don’t have a heart attack when they see the insurance excess.
Personally what I might be tempted to do is stay in this “training”, do your class 2 then its on your licence and when you finish to apprenticeship you’ll have 1 or 2 years on your licence. Technically its supposed to include regular driving within past x months, but many skip over that.
You can do the odd bit of class 2 potentially on agency, then you’ll find out what it feels like to do 15 hour days (plus travelling, eating, sleeping), peeing in a bottle, getting rained on the whole shift and in the case of brakes - lumping stuff up stairs. Ah the life…
30K tops for most class 1 is realistic with 2 years experience but thats a pretty good wage. 25K for class 2 but have seen an awful lot less. Ignore 95% who claim 40K as they are either lying, specialised or will be dead in 5 years.
As mentioned earlier the best option is to continue with your apprenticeship which will give you a qualification and job history for your CV.
During this time if funds permit then look at doing your Category C with Peter Smythe who offers training over a weekend + a weekday.
Complete your CPC requirements as well during this time.
Try to keep your plans secret from your work colleagues as there is usually in any company a ‘rat’ who will squeal to management!
When decision day comes at the end of your apprenticeship you will then have two options.
Back in 1984 I took my HGV 1 (in those days, no theory tests, CPC etc.) purely as an ambition exercise.
I had no intention of driving for a living as I had a good job in engineering.
However recessions came along and many companies were closing for good.
My C + E licence then became my best lifetime qualification which kept me employed for the next 25 years.
I was also able to return to engineering on a contract basis and when that ended, I could obtain agency driving the very next day if I wanted it.
You are being very sensible in considering your future and Trucknet is a great resource that generally offers good advice.
Good luck.
What I’ve found out from other colleagues who have went the whole way with the apprenticeship is that they only take you so far, and then you have to in-effect quit, and go to uni full time for 3 years to get a masters, to go back to work for a few years to get the experience to get chartered (professional qualification). If I don’t go to uni, the highest I can get in a HND, with an SVQ which will mean I can get in as an EngTech (PQ), with which I can expect to be on around 23/24k until way into my forties, so this is basically a no go, and then I can see myself going for a wage, to have no wage and having to spend £400+ on rent for a 4x4m room to live in for 3 years.
I have already booked and paid for my Cat C with Alex McAra who has been recommended by various people up here, and will financially be able to go for C+E straight away, but haven’t decided on this yet.
As @trevHCS said, this “apprenticeship” is more for the company’s benefit as it allows them onto the apprenticeship levy scheme, basically saving a **** ton on a tax they won’t have to pay. So far I’m leaning towards finishing the apprenticeship, get recognised as an EngTech so at least if driving goes down the pan I can fall back on this. This way I’ll just have turned 21, and will have had C on license for 2 years.
Although 8-4 5 days a week and 40 days holiday is a bonus.
