Job market in January?

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hi,

I’m leaving the RAF early next year and I was wondering if any experienced drivers can tell me what the job market is usually like jan - mar time. Does it pretty much go back to normal or are the jobs few and far between after the Christmas rush. I can stay in the RAF till about July but I’m dying to come out ASAP. I’m mainly looking stobart, longs of leeds, RB and Malcolm in the Leeds area.

Cheers

2

Traditionally there is a bit of a lull with the agencies after Christmas, and it is harder finding agency work. However, it is probably dependent on several factors including your area, your agency/ies and the truth behind the driver shortage. At the start of this year I got left on the shelf for a few shifts where I had said I was available, but not many. However, I am part-time and therefore easier for an agency to please.

I don’t know how that translates into the employment market. I would hope that companies are a little longer sighted and will take people on when the opportunity arises if they know they’re going to be picking up later in the year. However, that’s not to say it actually happens.

3

ORC:
Traditionally there is a bit of a lull with the agencies after Christmas, and it is harder finding agency work. However, it is probably dependent on several factors including your area, your agency/ies and the truth behind the driver shortage. At the start of this year I got left on the shelf for a few shifts where I had said I was available, but not many. However, I am part-time and therefore easier for an agency to please.

I don’t know how that translates into the employment market. I would hope that companies are a little longer sighted and will take people on when the opportunity arises if they know they’re going to be picking up later in the year. However, that’s not to say it actually happens.

Thanks that’s great. I’m just really impatient.

4

If you are already Class 1 then I’ve heard it’s probably the worst time to find work, but if you have licence to get, then this will take a few months…

As for a shortage of drivers, I can’t really say, but I do know that a large employer for class 2 drivers has upped it’s rate for tomorrow (Monday) by £3 an hour, as they can’t get enough drivers book in. Sadly I will be busy doing a nicer job! :grimacing:

5

I started my job on Jan 7th this year. First class 1 job, hadn’t even sat in one since my test.

You might be just as lucky as me.