I have just completed my Category C training, gaining 99% on my Theory, 87% on my Hazard Perception with Scania at Worksop (great training). I passed my test first time with only four minor faults and am now looking for a driving position within the HGV industry. I would like some feedback on how to gain Class 2 employment in the South Yorkshire area.
Most of the vacancies on offer ask for two years experience, I have spoken to an agency and they tell me that they cannot sign anyone up unless they have two years experience. They said I should do multi-drop van driving to get some real life road experience. I have been driving cars, vans and riding motorcycles for over 30 years and have no points on my licence so have plenty of road experience.
Is it just a case of signing up with every agency and applying for everything going and wait for an opportunity to present itself? Does anyone know of agencies or companies who will take on new drivers in the Yorkshire Area? I will be looking to take my Class1 in the near future after getting some Class 2 road experience.
I have spent the last 10 years experience in a challenging retail/head office environment gaining valuable skills within business to business and business and customer sectors until unfortunately being made redundant. Although starting fresh in this industry, the company that employs me we will get an employee that is reliable, responsible, flexible and hard working.
Your views would be appreciated.
Step 1: apply for job
Step 2: apply for another
Step 3: apply for another
Step 4: apply for another
Step 5: apply for another
Step 6: apply for another
Continue for around 1 year until someone gives you a job.
Welcome to the world of trucking.
Yes, a bit of research into this industry before you started all of this wouldn’t have gone a miss. It’s the same story for every body, you need to basically send out about 50 cvs a week at the bare minimum to even get anyway, then again you might strike lucky and be working by next week but it’s highly unlikely.
One thing I will say, no matter how bad your first job is you better snap their hand off for it and don’t give it up!!
As Previously said send as many cv’s out to as many company’s as possible , at the time they might not have anything going but… they will keep your details on file and once that opportunity arises you might think that arggg! I cant take sending anymore cv’s out, At the end of the day when you receive that phone call asking you to go for an interview it makes it all pay. then take it from there I passed my class 2 In July 2011 , only recently have I had various calls from many company’s looking to see if I was looking to drive for them.
I eventually picked 1 or 2 company’s to go for an interview , ( I am even lucky that all these company’s are calling as I know how hard it is when you first start ) I start my new job on Monday (25th June) on class 2 doing pallet delivery’s and this was me going from no experience of driving, as my previous job was office based.
so do not give up any hope oh and another thing that might be worthwhile getting your cv reviewed to make it stand out slightly than the rest for example ( oi46.tinypic.com/2a6v1pt.jpg )
look out for company’s in your area advertising in the local press advising that they are increasing there operating size or have applied for op license as you can have your cv going there way
again best of luck and hope you get something soon not everybody is looking for that 2 years ( as quoted by all the big company’s) its just somebody that will give you that break to prove yourself 
Welcome to the forum.
It is the old catch 22, can’t get experience until you have experience.
Best Connection is one agency that will take on drivers without experience. Expect about £7 per hour on class two (occasionally £8).
Sending out CVs is one route, although I found actually meeting potential employers and talking to them to be a better route. Dress presentably, visit possible emploters, chat with them and try to give them a reason to remember you. Tell them you paid for your Class 2 (as opposed to it being funded by the JobCentre or whoever). Keep in touch and ask them who else they would suggest you might try.
There are a lot of class 2 drivers out there so you have to do something to stand-out from the others. Your chances around the Worksop area are better than in some parts of the country, especially if you are prepared to travel a bit.
Good luck
Alan
There is plenty of advice, good and bad, positive and negative here about agencies but the gist of it is, is to look after number one, and they don’t owe you anything, and you don’t owe them either.
However, you need to go around some agencies and try and get registered. OK Van work is a bit naff but what they want to see is that you can drive it safely and deliver the cargo. Multi drop can be hard work but if you’re fit you can get into it. Encourage them to get you in 7.5t work and prepare for some horrible shifts and low pay, but after you’ve tried some will give you a go and remember, on some Monday Mornings at 7am when all other [zb] hasn’t got a driver available, some remember you.
I’m with B/C now and I’ve had a few jobs on vans that I have refused due to the distance but others where the rep has told me a story and I’ve gone in. Last was a driver who stated (on vans) he was there to drive not to unload.
Ok, so it was heavy lifting and could have been hard work but it was delivering to contractors who were all willing to help you unload if you were nice about it.
I’ve done a mix of van, 7.5 and class 2. No one yet has offered me Class 1 work but that might change soon. Either way, you need to push because, quite frankly, no one else out there probably cares as much as you do to get work!
Things to tell the agencies “Well, I’d prefer Class 2 but I can drive 7.5t and maybe even vans if the rate is enough” However, Vans are National Minimum Wage, 7.5t is getting rarer ‘they say’ but I don’t see it myself.
Good Luck 
Thanks for the info everyone, its not pretty but it is a start.