I jacked my full time job today to try and squeeze in to C+E driving
Been working on coaches for ten years now, had enough of working around other people and much prefer working on my own. Anyway…
Just thought I’d come on to moan about agencies and firm’s attitude to new drivers (No yawning at the back). Where the ■■■■ do they think this endless supply of drivers “with experience” is going to come from? Do any employers realise how shafted they’ll be when the CPC is compulsory? The old-timers will drop out rather than have some ridiculous 30-year old tell them how to fill in a tacho. The industry is headed for a gargantuan skills shortage, but no one seems to care a jot. I’ve got my CPC, Digi, Safety boots, Hi vi, working knowlege of tacho rules and the roads and soon to have ADR+Tankers… But no-one cares about any of that!
What do you think employers will do when CPC makes it unaffordable or unreasonable for drivers to enter/remain in the industry?!
claretmatt:
I jacked my full time job today to try and squeeze in to C+E driving
Been working on coaches for ten years now, had enough of working around other people and much prefer working on my own. Anyway…
Just thought I’d come on to moan about agencies and firm’s attitude to new drivers (No yawning at the back). Where the [zb] do they think this endless supply of drivers “with experience” is going to come from? Do any employers realise how shafted they’ll be when the CPC is compulsory? The old-timers will drop out rather than have some ridiculous 30-year old tell them how to fill in a tacho. The industry is headed for a gargantuan skills shortage, but no one seems to care a jot. I’ve got my CPC, Digi, Safety boots, Hi vi, working knowlege of tacho rules and the roads and soon to have ADR+Tankers… But no-one cares about any of that!
What do you think employers will do when CPC makes it unaffordable or unreasonable for drivers to enter/remain in the industry?!
Having been in your position some time ago I can tell you it’s nothing new. It is simply a matter of trying to be in the right place at the right time. Get out there seeing people and sooner or later something will pop up!
Some areas are better than others workwise so it’s a good idea to let people know where you’re based.
As around 50% of drivers are getting dcpc paid by their employers and most of the others realise that paying out between £200 and £500 to earn thousands for 5 years is economically sensible, if not liked, then I do not think there will be any experienced driver shortage.
Will employers consider employing a newbie with all their dcpc attained or an experienced driver with little or no dcpc to their credit ? - I reckon the experience will still win because its easier and quicker to get dcpc than it is to get experience
Employers are not stupid - they know that the dcpc is not really fit for purpose and I doubt they will place that much credit emphasis on it unless the specific dcpc attained by the driver is very relevant (specific training) to the job they are being considered for
That is what I believe to be the reality of the situation regarding dcpc gained from reading many posts on many sites
All that being said, I still think that many agencies and employers will take on newbies especially when they are desperate for a driver ‘right now’
Some lucky newbies have got full time perm jobs within a few months of gaining both C & CE licences and many more are getting work for 2 or 3 days a week on average
I would advise any newbie who intends to give up their current job and throw themselves into the ‘lions den’ to have savings which will see them through for perhaps a year whilst doing part time ad-hoc LGV work