Change of career at 40

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

hey all,
iv’e been lurking in the background for a couple of months and when researching my next chosen Career came across this site which i have found invaluable. firstly im very impressed with this forum and site in genaral, as far as i know there’s no other profession that has a facility like this that offers so much support, knowledge, & advice ( with a bit of banter )which i love ( some posts have had me in stitches!!). I read & was told by some that the camaraderie in this profession had all but disappeared, but when reading the threads on this forum in particular im not so sure.
So i’ll introduce myself, my names Dan, i’m 40, living in bristol & im leaving the Army in the next few days after 16 years service. i have chosen to take up HGV/LGV Driving for my next career. i already have my C+E that i gained a couple of years ago. ( Wagon & Drag ). but have never used it. i’m booked in for residential trng with Red Rose in Manchester. jan - end of feb 16. refresher Ridgid & Arctic - 1 week each. also HIAB,ADR,CPC,Forklift reach & counterbalance, and tacho & drivers hours Course. I have two questions if anyone has time.

1st - from info and chat here i now know that CVs are not the only way to go and banging on doors may work just as well. does anybody know any employers that will take on newbies in my area ( not trying to get out of doing the leg work but i think it would help if i could narrow it down a bit ).

2nd - i was advised that agency work may be the way to go as you can work out what particular work may suit, BUT… ive been reading some posts that are pretty negative about agency work & i,ll be looking for work the beginning of march, is it genarally slow at that time of year or does it depened on the area ? any advise or tips would be greatly appreciated.
thanks for reading guys and gals, looking foward to the day i might be able to give the tips and advise. Stay safe.

2

Thats quite a collection there, that should put you at an advantage when you are talking to TM’s. Agency work is a mixed bag, some can make a career out of it and stay in the same place day in, day out. All the beneifts of a company man yet still being pay more and hourly. That being said as a new driver with 0 experience you won’t be picked for the best and cushy jobs from the get go, those are for those blue-eyed boys who have been there the longest. You know that saying “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”? That sorta works with agency, if you bail them out when they need a driver quick sharp then most will remember and you’ll start moving up the ladder so you won’t be given the crap jobs that no one wants, I’m talking multi-drop artic work with 30+ drops.

Some guys can and do get jobs with zero experience right off the bat, you just need to find a TM that is either willing enough or desperate enough to give you a set of keys. If you come back with the load safetly delivered, paperwork in order and the truck is more or less the same condition as when you left the yard then you shouldn’t have any problem.

3

Welcome to the forum Dan, as if we need another Dan… (Although that joke is from 6 months ago, so maybe lost on you…)
First off I’m a little concerned by your geographical knowledge, as Bristol & Manchester are not exactly on each others door steps? :open_mouth:
But I’m sure you have your reasons… :laughing:

There is an ex services guy on here that has experience of Red Rose, positive if I recall correctly! :smiley:
His username is the Eager Beaver, but he’s not been on for about a week, as he’s just started a new job, so probably a bit flat out at present… But I’m sure if you want a little more info about Red Rose, he’s the man to ask! :smiley:

As for getting a start (And in addition to the VAN driver’s comments above! :laughing:), you just need to get out there, be it knocking on doors or via agencies. But as I’m sure you’ve already picked up, be prepared to start with getting the dross that other don’t want to do. You may have to prove yourself for a little while on Class 2 work, but I’m sure your up to that, and quite a lot of firms like ex services, so that should stand you in good stead… If you get the choices, and are only being offered Class 2 at the start, I’d suggest you try to get with a firm that runs both classes, as before you know it, you’ll be thrown the keys to an Artic when they are stuck for a driver! :smiley:

Regarding agencies, sign up with as many as you can stomach, and each one will require you to spend over an hour filling out repetitive forms. But the more you sign up with, the more chances of work you will have, as different agencies have different contracts. Being your age, I’m sure you will recognise the signs & smell of scent of Bovine Excrement, and from that I’m sure you will find an agency you’re comfortable with. They aren’t all crap!!! (Just most of em…)

I can’t tell you about the lull in Jan/Feb, as I’ve not myself been in the game long enough to see it.

Best of luck pal, and look forward to giving and getting some abuse from you! :grimacing:

4

Hiya, you have plenty of strings to your bow so you shouldnt find job hunting too difficult.
Im with an agency (so is hubby) and many have contracts to supply drivers to major supermarket chains who love a new pass (if you know what I mean) as they have no bad habits.
I applied to several employers directly but not one replied or offered anything, not even an assessment. The agencies are a good way to get your foot in the door so to speak.
Some employers will actively recruit ex servicemen/women so you may well be in with a good chance :slight_smile:

Good luck!!

5

Why have you chosen truck driving for you next career?

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There are advantages & disadvantages to agencies as there are some god some bad it can be a good way to start get know you can try a lot of different companies you will here if theory are taking on or not you an talk to other drivers when out seen if there company are taking on etc ( have done some agency work but also worked for companies )

In march it may be hit/miss as it is normally starting to pick up then after the slow jan

7

Hi Dan

Have a look at the demob.com site. The Company that runs the HET vehicles are hiring and hire ex MOD personnel.
Good Luck

8

Welcome Dan. Truck driving has plenty of positives in my view. You are effectively ’ your own boss ’ throughout the day. I have worked for 4 large companies since passing my class 2 almost 2 years ago. I have found that I get left alone to do the job in hand, and have never been mithered about which route to take, or where I am at.

Plenty nice scenery to look at in summer (especially in heels), pop into the bank if I need to, call at my house if I am in the area, have a break or nap whenever I want etc. Like any job, there are some negatives, you can end up doing a LOT of hours, stuck in traffic, etc . But I have found that the vast majority of my fellow drivers are funny, knowledgeable, and will help you out at the drop of a hat.

Collapsed pallets, blindside reverses, etc, before you know it, the job is sorted.

You will read on here various comments from a select band of knobheads, on how bad the job is. They are either trolls, or drivers who will STILL go and drive the following day, despite claiming that shop work pays the same.

Evilbeezle has many problems. But despite his obvious ’ challenge’s ', he is a good egg.

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A good egg? I think we need a Mod here because I believe beavers account may have been hacked by evil because no one ever compliments that old ■■■■■■■■ although it is a dig at him before the compliment but never less a compliment?!

10

If I was u I would sack your refresher training and other stuff off.
You will get a start driving easy I did after leaving the forces with no experience.

Instead of doing all that other stuff do a mobile crane course better money and working.

11

I certainly wouldn’t think you’d need 2 weeks of refresher training. 3 days tops, 1 for rigid and 2 for artic.

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Thanks for the reply’s. hope everyone had a good xmas, ive gone for hgv driving for the reasons eagerbeaver mentioned, im doing training even though ive already got my liecence as i have not even been in the cab of a hgv for the last couple of years net alone driven one. and would rather have as much experience and knowledge as possible on my first day than wing it and hope for the best and try and make the steep learning curve a little less steep. ( plus the armys paying ).

13

eagerbeaver:
I have found that I get left alone to do the job in hand, and have never been mithered about which route to take, or where I am at.

That’s because they post your P45 to your house bud! :wink:
God knows what your mate the Hobo does? :open_mouth:

14

PaulNowak:
I certainly wouldn’t think you’d need 2 weeks of refresher training. 3 days tops, 1 for rigid and 2 for artic.

I agree paul 2 weeks seems a little excessive but if the army are paying why not!

15

It’s up to you pal.

It’s the licence that costs the money most companies will give you bit training ect on the job.
You will learn more in truck in couple days on your own than two weeks refresher.

I was in same boat two years ago.
Cause you have had your licence for years and over 25 you won’t have the stumbling blocks new drivers have in civy street.
Be honest and you will get a driving job easy.

Driving is different from the forces.
It’s lot more hours working and if you want earn decent money your away all time.

If I was you I would seriously consider doing a mobile crane course instead of two weeks refresher training.
But it’s up to you pal.

16

As said above, if the army are footing the bill in your transition into civvy, put it towards something that will give you an edge.
Something that an employer can’t offer, as all HGV firms can refresh your driving skills. Just tell them you haven’t driven for a while and would like a couple of days with another driver. I doubt they will view that negatively, quite the opposite, as it shows you’re not one of those over confident types that will be bringing the truck back missing a few bits! :laughing:

A crane licence is good, although I was chatting to a firm I’ve delivered too, and it didn’t seem to pay much extra over driving.
But then again, he may have been blowing smoke up my arse! :laughing:

A moffett (forklift) licence, a HIAB licence, an ADR licence can all help you find employment…

17

I have seen a class 1 job with forklift licence advertised at 45k so if your looking on the money side of things that gives you an edge.

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Hi there Pegasus, I’m a few months behind you in the same circumstances, did you get all the red rose training using ELCs ? I would be interested in how the course turns out.

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ash 001:
I have seen a class 1 job with forklift licence advertised at 45k so if your looking on the money side of things that gives you an edge.

So on the safe side, knock 5 to 10k off for advertising spin.
If it’s better than that, it’s a bonus! :smiley: