Hey guys, it really is a long time no see as its been about 5 and a half years since I last posted here
The reason why I’m bothering you all again now is this…
Back in 2009 I had to come off the lorries due to my Wifes ill health, which is kinda why I shied away from this forum (who wants to be reminded of what they can no longer do eh?) anyway, now circumstances have improved enough for me to go back to work.
But as to be expected this has reared a few problems, first and foremost, the DCPC Periodic training, my “Grandfather rights” have expired so it looks like I’m footing the bill for the full 35hrs, and secondly I was informed by the company that I may well be going to work for that their Insurance company will not touch anyone who hasn’t driven in the last 6 months and that the only way around this is to do a refresher course so they can then show that certificate to their Insurers (tbh I was considering doing this anyway, after all 5 and a 1/2 yrs is a long time to be out of the drivers seat)
Now, the training provider has said that the days refresher course can be counted toward one module (7hrs) of my DCPC and they’ll upload that f.o.c. so that’s at least some good news out of it.
Ok that’s the situation as it stands now time for my question.
I’m considering doing my ADR instead of the other 28hrs (4 modules) of a (from what I can gather) relatively pointless DCPC, now obviously doing a Core + Tanks + Packages 5 day ADR course is going to be a lot more expensive than doing the 4 DCPC modules,the question is, Is it worth it? Will the additional cost be reflected in my wages ? In other words can I expect to be offered a better rate with an ADR certificate under my belt? Is there much of a step up if this is the case?
Now I know I really need to ask the company in question this, and I will be phoning them tomorrow morning to ask if
a) they require any ADR drivers (the answer to this is more than likely a resounding yes as they have many shift patterns and jobs on offer a.t.m.)
and
b) the obvious “whats the difference in hourly rate”
I was just curious on the broader spectrum of things whether it is likely going to be financially beneficial for me to do my ADR or not?
I didnt drive a lorry or a car for nearly 3 year due to accident ,there was no problem with insurance etc,it was like riding a bike m8,it will feel like you have never been away
Reef:
Hey guys, it really is a long time no see as its been about 5 and a half years since I last posted here
The reason why I’m bothering you all again now is this…
Back in 2009 I had to come off the lorries due to my Wifes ill health, which is kinda why I shied away from this forum (who wants to be reminded of what they can no longer do eh?) anyway, now circumstances have improved enough for me to go back to work.
But as to be expected this has reared a few problems, first and foremost, the DCPC Periodic training, my “Grandfather rights” have expired so it looks like I’m footing the bill for the full 35hrs, and secondly I was informed by the company that I may well be going to work for that their Insurance company will not touch anyone who hasn’t driven in the last 6 months and that the only way around this is to do a refresher course so they can then show that certificate to their Insurers (tbh I was considering doing this anyway, after all 5 and a 1/2 yrs is a long time to be out of the drivers seat)
Now, the training provider has said that the days refresher course can be counted toward one module (7hrs) of my DCPC and they’ll upload that f.o.c. so that’s at least some good news out of it.
Ok that’s the situation as it stands now time for my question.
I’m considering doing my ADR instead of the other 28hrs (4 modules) of a (from what I can gather) relatively pointless DCPC, now obviously doing a Core + Tanks + Packages 5 day ADR course is going to be a lot more expensive than doing the 4 DCPC modules,the question is, Is it worth it? Will the additional cost be reflected in my wages ? In other words can I expect to be offered a better rate with an ADR certificate under my belt? Is there much of a step up if this is the case?
Now I know I really need to ask the company in question this, and I will be phoning them tomorrow morning to ask if
a) they require any ADR drivers (the answer to this is more than likely a resounding yes as they have many shift patterns and jobs on offer a.t.m.)
and
b) the obvious “whats the difference in hourly rate”
I was just curious on the broader spectrum of things whether it is likely going to be financially beneficial for me to do my ADR or not?
Thanks in advance
hey Reefy good to have you back mate - …IMHO the ADR is only worth doing to increase your employment scope/variety/possibilities/options(and to get you 7-14 hrs of DCPC time).,it does not (for whatever weird reasons) command any premium on pay rates :roll D
Don’t know if this might help; but a few years ago my missus had to give up her job because of a back injury. As you might know, after a while off work you get called into the Jobcentre and they try to find something for you to suit your skills etc. Wifey couldn’t do any lifting of course so her old job (working in kitchens) was a no-no; however she’s a good driver and had previous experience on Sprinter vans so I suggested she ask about getting help with doing her PSV. Cut a long story short they said yes, she got it all paid for through some grant system run by the Welsh Development Agency, and she’s now been driving buses for nearly 3 years,earning a good wage and loves the job.
Appreciate you might be able to fund your DCPC yourself but perhaps no harm in asking at the Jobcentre?
I didn’t drive for 17 yrs but joined an agency and had plenty of work straight from the off, insurance never was an issue and they seemed more interested in how long I had my licence rather than how much driving I’d done lately, good luck with it all.
My first shift after 17 was for Hovis and nearly missed the pin but didn’t then had a bit of motorway driving that eased me into the feel of it and it was also a Sunday morning too which helped.
Don’t know if this might help; but a few years ago my missus had to give up her job because of a back injury. As you might know, after a while off work you get called into the Jobcentre and they try to find something for you to suit your skills etc. Wifey couldn’t do any lifting of course so her old job (working in kitchens) was a no-no; however she’s a good driver and had previous experience on Sprinter vans so I suggested she ask about getting help with doing her PSV. Cut a long story short they said yes, she got it all paid for through some grant system run by the Welsh Development Agency, and she’s now been driving buses for nearly 3 years,earning a good wage and loves the job.
Appreciate you might be able to fund your DCPC yourself but perhaps no harm in asking at the Jobcentre?
Reef:
Hey guys, it really is a long time no see as its been about 5 and a half years since I last posted here
The reason why I’m bothering you all again now is this…
Back in 2009 I had to come off the lorries due to my Wifes ill health, which is kinda why I shied away from this forum (who wants to be reminded of what they can no longer do eh?) anyway, now circumstances have improved enough for me to go back to work.
But as to be expected this has reared a few problems, first and foremost, the DCPC Periodic training, my “Grandfather rights” have expired so it looks like I’m footing the bill for the full 35hrs, and secondly I was informed by the company that I may well be going to work for that their Insurance company will not touch anyone who hasn’t driven in the last 6 months and that the only way around this is to do a refresher course so they can then show that certificate to their Insurers (tbh I was considering doing this anyway, after all 5 and a 1/2 yrs is a long time to be out of the drivers seat)
Now, the training provider has said that the days refresher course can be counted toward one module (7hrs) of my DCPC and they’ll upload that f.o.c. so that’s at least some good news out of it.
Ok that’s the situation as it stands now time for my question.
I’m considering doing my ADR instead of the other 28hrs (4 modules) of a (from what I can gather) relatively pointless DCPC, now obviously doing a Core + Tanks + Packages 5 day ADR course is going to be a lot more expensive than doing the 4 DCPC modules,the question is, Is it worth it? Will the additional cost be reflected in my wages ? In other words can I expect to be offered a better rate with an ADR certificate under my belt? Is there much of a step up if this is the case?
Now I know I really need to ask the company in question this, and I will be phoning them tomorrow morning to ask if
a) they require any ADR drivers (the answer to this is more than likely a resounding yes as they have many shift patterns and jobs on offer a.t.m.)
and
b) the obvious “whats the difference in hourly rate”
I was just curious on the broader spectrum of things whether it is likely going to be financially beneficial for me to do my ADR or not?
Thanks in advance
Good on ya mate!!! ADR will be advantageous as will get you 21 hours CPC and also show prospective employers that you are committed to getting yourself QUALIFIED!!! Have a look at MANPOWER AGENCY as this time of year they always recruit for Calor Gas for ADR Tanker and Cylinder Drivers!!! Will be something to put on your CV!!! A good local fuel distribution company would then be a good move!!! Good luck mate!!!
Not to sure about the funding side t.b.h, I haven’t talked directly with the Jobcentre but I did speak to CareerWales and their view was that funding is very thin on the ground in Wales a.t.m. but I could apply for back to work type loans (pretty pointless when I can pay for it myself upfront without the rigmarole of forms and waiting and so on) I may well contact the JC directly tomorrow, no harm in asking as they say.
Bertie1973:
Good on ya mate!!! ADR will be advantageous as will get you 21 hours CPC and also show prospective employers that you are committed to getting yourself QUALIFIED!!! Have a look at MANPOWER AGENCY as this time of year they always recruit for Calor Gas for ADR Tanker and Cylinder Drivers!!! Will be something to put on your CV!!! A good local fuel distribution company would then be a good move!!! Good luck mate!!!
Which brings me to another question, some training companies are saying that the ADR will add up to 21hrs and some others are saying 28hrs, Is this based on the Basic Core + packages a 3.5day course being 21 and the addition of the 1.5 day Tanks adding the other 7 or is it only 21hrs regardless and some of these “trainers” are incorrect?
Depends. Given that Reef already has the c+E, but now needs the DCPC to actually earn money with it, things may be different.
Things are also slightly different down here in Wales as we have the WDA who deal with back-to-work stuff like this in conjunction with Jobcentres.
I hope so too, but just thought i’d make the OP aware that things may not be straight forward via the Job Centre.
(And not that it’s relevant, but just noticed that this system has an American spell checker, as it doesn’t like the word “centre” - God only knows why they call it English… ) Colour (Yep, doesn’t like that either!) LOL
Reef:
secondly I was informed by the company that I may well be going to work for that their Insurance company will not touch anyone who hasn’t driven in the last 6 months and that the only way around this is to do a refresher course so they can then show that certificate to their Insurers (tbh I was considering doing this anyway, after all 5 and a 1/2 yrs is a long time to be out of the drivers seat)
Send me a tenner and your address and I’ll send you a letter on headed notepaper letting them know about that casual work you did for me three months ago.
Reef:
Which brings me to another question, some training companies are saying that the ADR will add up to 21hrs and some others are saying 28hrs, Is this based on the Basic Core + packages a 3.5day course being 21 and the addition of the 1.5 day Tanks adding the other 7 or is it only 21hrs regardless and some of these “trainers” are incorrect?
Dieseldave may have the answer to that, you could do worse than drop him a PM.
I came back after a 5 1/2 year break in August. Never had a problem regarding insurance and not driving in the last 6 months. Nobody cared.
Other than the roads seeming a lot smaller than they used to and a yard I knew suddenly looking a lot tighter and not being able to reverse quite as accurately as I used to for the first couple of weeks I got right back into it. 8 weeks later and its like I never left.
Harry Monk:
Send me a tenner and your address and I’ll send you a letter on headed notepaper letting them know about that casual work you did for me three months ago.
Bit late for that Harry me ol’ mate, I kinda already let it slip that I hadn’t driven in the last 5 & 1/2 yrs
Conor:
I came back after a 5 1/2 year break in August. Never had a problem regarding insurance and not driving in the last 6 months. Nobody cared.
Other than the roads seeming a lot smaller than they used to and a yard I knew suddenly looking a lot tighter and not being able to reverse quite as accurately as I used to for the first couple of weeks I got right back into it. 8 weeks later and its like I never left.
I suppose the main reason I want to do the refresher is for my own peace of mind, I know damned well that I was a competent enough driver back then and I’m sure I could get testimonies from any of my previous employers to verify that, but I suppose I’d feel a bit more confident and sure footed with the refresher under my belt,
the thing is I would really like to work for this firm because they have a secondary yard within walking distance from my house and I’ve basically been told I can have my pick of pretty much any shift pattern because they have many options available like 4 on 4 off, 4 on 3 off, regular days, regular nights, tramping and so on.
I dunno maybe I’m just being naive and or short sighted, which is why I’m considering doing the ADR course as opposed to the DCPC as that gives me more options if this firm turns out to not be the right fit for me.
I thought about doing a refresher but I didn’t get the chance to between coming back off holiday in August and being sent for an assessment at Howdens so I just gritted my teeth, told the assessor it’d been quite some time since I’d been in one and drove it like I was on a driving test. Couple of days later I did my first shift there. It’ll come back easier than you think.
As others have said, it’s only some agencies that come out with the 6month/insurance issue - Pertemps seem to have this written in stone so ignore them & just try a different one - personally I prefer the smaller agencies rather than the big nationals, especially as there is definitely a demand now.
Thanks for all the input, I’ve decided to forego the ADR for now as the cost is far outweighing the need at this present time, I phoned the firm this morning and they said they didn’t have any ADR work available a.t.m. but if they wanted me to do ADR in the future then they’d pay for my course anyway.
I appreciate that a lot of you think a refresher course is a waste of money but I’d still prefer to do it anyway, just for my own peace of mind more than anything else I guess.
Anyway, all being well I’ll see you lot on the road come mid November
Reef:
I appreciate that a lot of you think a refresher course is a waste of money but I’d still prefer to do it anyway, just for my own peace of mind more than anything else I guess.
I didn’t mean it to come across as that as I don’t think it is but just saying if you don’t do one its not necessarily going to be the end of the world.
) Colour (Yep, doesn’t like that either!) LOL