No more staring at the phone saying ring u b&st%rd ring 
the best thing is when you are settled in your job you get a phone call from said agency some months later to ask if you are available
Contraflow:
Congratulations LIBERTY_GUY!Don’t listen to the haters, they’re just jealous because you’ve managed to get a real job and they can’t.
he will have to put his LIDL bag into storage now
LIBERTY_GUY:
mac12:
Don’t want to put him down and hope this turns out to be a excellent job but i would be wondering why a firm that pays so well has no nights out all easy local work has a truck parked up waiting for him to ring and then starts him straight away, you would think nobody would ever leave and all the local drivers would be queing round the block to start when someone dies.They specifically wanted someone with a current CSCS card, which I have and also experience of the type of specialised vehicles they operate which I also have. They purchased two new vehicles this month to expand the fleet and whilst I won’t be driving one of those, it has created vacancies. It is local as they got about ten other places around the country. They just growing in size - nothing more sinister than that.
What folks have to appreciate about the agency I have been working for recently, is that just a few days ago they were advertising tipper work, even though the two big local contracts that had created the vacancies were coming to an end and drivers were already getting laid off. Even late last week this same agency were advertising ‘urgently required’ steel jobs that have failed to materialise, not just for me, but for other drivers on their books too.
what annoys me is signs you see attached to trees and lampposts saying HGV DRIVERS URGENTLY REQUIRED,when you do register,nothing happens,something needs to be done about these agencies,the agency in question is drivers direct
Isn’t there a paradox with all this…?
“IF” you are available, it’s because you couldn’t get work, or don’t want the crappy work.
IF you’re happy as you are, then you don’t want work anyway - you’re already busy enough, perhaps even with a full time job.
It makes me think that the first people that get called by these large agencies with 100’s of drivers on their books - are the desperate, the duff, and the inexperienced ones - which kind of puts the “2 years experience required” thing out on a limb doesn’t it?
You don’t phone the “fussy” or the “won’t get out of bed for less than a tenner” driver up first now do you…? 
LIBERTY_GUY:
What folks have to appreciate about the agency I have been working for recently, is that just a few days ago they were advertising tipper work, even though the two big local contracts that had created the vacancies were coming to an end and drivers were already getting laid off. Even late last week this same agency were advertising ‘urgently required’ steel jobs that have failed to materialise, not just for me, but for other drivers on their books too.
And what you, along with hundreds of others, fail to realise is that to an extent agencies HAVE to work that way. If they’ve gone to a client and obtained a foot in the door, it’s no ■■■■ use them not having any suitable drivers when said client rings up and orders half a dozen for that night is it? Trust me if you think agencies are fickle creatures you should try dealing with some of their clients! Hence the “non-specific” adverts which get so many drivers steamed up. It is not ideal I grant you that, and it’s easy to see why folk who take everything literally might think they’re being conned; but there is often no other way to achieve it.
eagerbeaver:
Wouldn’t get out of bed for £8 per hour War!!
But gettin out fof Bed 3 Times a Week for 6 Hour each is also not paying Bills.
Immigrant:
eagerbeaver:
Wouldn’t get out of bed for £8 per hour War!!But gettin out fof Bed 3 Times a Week for 6 Hour each is also not paying Bills.
Pays mine.
Immigrant:
But gettin out fof Bed 3 Times a Week for 6 Hour each is also not paying Bills.
Neither does getting out of bed, turning up on site with your carrier bag, only to find out it’s not the job you expected, then spitting the dummy out, before flouncing off site & heading home, earning nil £.
Winseer:
You don’t phone the “fussy” or the “won’t get out of bed for less than a tenner” driver up first now do you…?
Depends on whether these kind of drivers stipulate to the agency their do’s and don’ts first and then work with the agency to accommodate both sides. A working relationship will see driver, agency and clients happy and content. A non-working relationship will see the driver sat by the phone. 
Stanley Knife:
Winseer:
You don’t phone the “fussy” or the “won’t get out of bed for less than a tenner” driver up first now do you…?Depends on whether these kind of drivers stipulate to the agency their do’s and don’ts first and then work with the agency to accommodate both sides. A working relationship will see driver, agency and clients happy and content. A non-working relationship will see the driver sat by the phone.
What Stan said.
Sidevalve:
Stanley Knife:
Winseer:
You don’t phone the “fussy” or the “won’t get out of bed for less than a tenner” driver up first now do you…?Depends on whether these kind of drivers stipulate to the agency their do’s and don’ts first and then work with the agency to accommodate both sides. A working relationship will see driver, agency and clients happy and content. A non-working relationship will see the driver sat by the phone.
What Stan said.
but this is the issue, I tell the driver what the rate is and will text it to them if they so want, all I want is someone who will turn up and do the job. even as a driver myself I don’t know each and every route/company/job details. but I give as much as I can. the newbie versus old driver is pointless as I have experienced good and bad in both.
as above its all about having a working relationship.
eagerbeaver:
Wouldn’t get out of bed for £8 per hour War!!
You’re not on much more than that, are you? Everyone knows what Stobart pays.
Stanley Knife:
Winseer:
You don’t phone the “fussy” or the “won’t get out of bed for less than a tenner” driver up first now do you…?Depends on whether these kind of drivers stipulate to the agency their do’s and don’ts first and then work with the agency to accommodate both sides. A working relationship will see driver, agency and clients happy and content. A non-working relationship will see the driver sat by the phone.
…there are advantages to be had from not doing that.
If you can’t be contact on one’s mobile for example, you can’t be cancelled on the way into a shift, nor booked into a shift when you’re out shopping with the wife, and don’t actually want any work today…
Sidevalve:
LIBERTY_GUY:
What folks have to appreciate about the agency I have been working for recently, is that just a few days ago they were advertising tipper work, even though the two big local contracts that had created the vacancies were coming to an end and drivers were already getting laid off. Even late last week this same agency were advertising ‘urgently required’ steel jobs that have failed to materialise, not just for me, but for other drivers on their books too.And what you, along with hundreds of others, fail to realise is that to an extent agencies HAVE to work that way. If they’ve gone to a client and obtained a foot in the door, it’s no ■■■■ use them not having any suitable drivers when said client rings up and orders half a dozen for that night is it? Trust me if you think agencies are fickle creatures you should try dealing with some of their clients! Hence the “non-specific” adverts which get so many drivers steamed up. It is not ideal I grant you that, and it’s easy to see why folk who take everything literally might think they’re being conned; but there is often no other way to achieve it.
The problem is ‘one size doesn’t fit all’. A steel driver is experienced in industrial environments and dealing with that industry. Someone without experience in steel is likely to end up with the load over the road or perhaps even killing someone. Pointless luring people in, then trying to offer them work that is beyond their experience and training. Bit like the agency consultant that thought I’d be ok to “blag myself into it” for a hook lift role because I’d worked on tippers, until I pointed out how lethal those things could be in untrained hands. 
Trouble is many recruitment consultants are only interested in the pound signs with zero thought as to putting the right people in the right roles, which also incidentally would benefit the client too.
LIBERTY_GUY:
Sidevalve:
LIBERTY_GUY:
What folks have to appreciate about the agency I have been working for recently, is that just a few days ago they were advertising tipper work, even though the two big local contracts that had created the vacancies were coming to an end and drivers were already getting laid off. Even late last week this same agency were advertising ‘urgently required’ steel jobs that have failed to materialise, not just for me, but for other drivers on their books too.And what you, along with hundreds of others, fail to realise is that to an extent agencies HAVE to work that way. If they’ve gone to a client and obtained a foot in the door, it’s no ■■■■ use them not having any suitable drivers when said client rings up and orders half a dozen for that night is it? Trust me if you think agencies are fickle creatures you should try dealing with some of their clients! Hence the “non-specific” adverts which get so many drivers steamed up. It is not ideal I grant you that, and it’s easy to see why folk who take everything literally might think they’re being conned; but there is often no other way to achieve it.
The problem is ‘one size doesn’t fit all’. A steel driver is experienced in industrial environments and dealing with that industry. Someone without experience in steel is likely to end up with the load over the road or perhaps even killing someone. Pointless luring people in, then trying to offer them work that is beyond their experience and training. Bit like the agency consultant that thought I’d be ok to “blag myself into it” for a hook lift role because I’d worked on tippers, until I pointed out how lethal those things could be in untrained hands.
too many young girls and guys who only know what a class 1 and 2 is as they have been shown pictures on a screen in the industry, and too many drivers who would rather go to a young lass over someone who talks sense as well.
war1974:
too many young girls and guys who only know what a class 1 and 2 is as they have been shown pictures on a screen in the industry, and too many drivers who would rather go to a young lass over someone who talks sense as well.
Thing is ‘war1974’ is that agencies like yourself that have actual knowledge of the industry are few and far between. You have enough common sense to realise that putting the right people in the right jobs leads to happy drivers and very contented clients.
I registered with one agency in the summer, that not only didn’t ask if I had a clean license, but they never even asked to see it, nor my DQC either. Wonder if their clients were aware of that fact?
LIBERTY_GUY:
Sidevalve:
LIBERTY_GUY:
What folks have to appreciate about the agency I have been working for recently, is that just a few days ago they were advertising tipper work, even though the two big local contracts that had created the vacancies were coming to an end and drivers were already getting laid off. Even late last week this same agency were advertising ‘urgently required’ steel jobs that have failed to materialise, not just for me, but for other drivers on their books too.And what you, along with hundreds of others, fail to realise is that to an extent agencies HAVE to work that way. If they’ve gone to a client and obtained a foot in the door, it’s no ■■■■ use them not having any suitable drivers when said client rings up and orders half a dozen for that night is it? Trust me if you think agencies are fickle creatures you should try dealing with some of their clients! Hence the “non-specific” adverts which get so many drivers steamed up. It is not ideal I grant you that, and it’s easy to see why folk who take everything literally might think they’re being conned; but there is often no other way to achieve it.
The problem is ‘one size doesn’t fit all’. A steel driver is experienced in industrial environments and dealing with that industry. Someone without experience in steel is likely to end up with the load over the road or perhaps even killing someone. Pointless luring people in, then trying to offer them work that is beyond their experience and training. Bit like the agency consultant that thought I’d be ok to “blag myself into it” for a hook lift role because I’d worked on tippers, until I pointed out how lethal those things could be in untrained hands.
No, you’re quite right, it doesn’t. However, there is such a thing as transferable skills; whilst you are correct to point out that a tipper driver should not use a hook lift without training, most of that training could be covered in an induction session which most responsible clients would have to go through, particularly if there’s building site work involved. He would only have to be familiarised in the operation of the kit itself, the vehicle and the working environment would not be dissimilar. It being a given that a lot of new or returning drivers use agencies as a stepping stone towards a permanent job, it would come as no surprise to most clients to find that the driver which they have been sent is either rusty or totally inexperienced on their specialised equipment. I note your comments above regarding the agency which didn’t bother to check your credentials; I’d respectfully suggest that the onus is partly on the driver to give that sort of outfit a very wide berth if he values his reputation.
Many years ago when I was a consultant myself, part of my job involved “matching” which basically means finding out how much experience the driver has on various disciplines and then putting him into the clients where his skills would be best used. You do however get some drivers who are sick of what they’re currently doing and will use the agency to gain experience in other disciplines.
LIBERTY_GUY:
The problem is ‘one size doesn’t fit all’. A steel driver is experienced in industrial environments and dealing with that industry. Someone without experience in steel is likely to end up with the load over the road or perhaps even killing someone.
only if they’re thick and or complacent.
ive never done it but if you put me on steel you would find i’d put so many chains on it you couldn’t see the load. simply because id be scared of doing exactly what you just described… 
Sidevalve:
Stanley Knife:
Winseer:
You don’t phone the “fussy” or the “won’t get out of bed for less than a tenner” driver up first now do you…?Depends on whether these kind of drivers stipulate to the agency their do’s and don’ts first and then work with the agency to accommodate both sides. A working relationship will see driver, agency and clients happy and content. A non-working relationship will see the driver sat by the phone.
What Stan said.
Worked agency before ticked a list of what was willing to do etc but until you get your feet under the table prove your worth and that you can get the job done you take anything they offer. Doing that you soon move up in the pecking order and get the work you want.
Seems to me the OP was just being a a $$hole