After a 15 years break from the transport industry ( mainly in the forces) and at the young age of 39 years old I have decided to come back to my passion which is driving lorries. My dad was a lorry driver and I can’t remember a week end without a truck or truck driver mates being involved in somehow. I drove lorries for the army all over conflict zones, carrying tanks, diesel, catering units, parts, etc etc.
when I met my wife, we both decided that a close from home job would be healthier for the family and our future plans. At the time local driver jobs were thin and precious I didn’t bother to transfer my licences from the army due to complicated post 1997 new EU regulations and paperwork.
Last summer I decided to pass all my licences again and it didn’t take long, first time every time with a couple of minus only. All wrapped up within 6 weeks. I was really chuffed that I haven’t lost it too much and I was still fit for the road.
Licences in my pocket and hopes high, I was ready to tackle the job market. “The industry is struggling for drivers” I was told at the test centre by my DSA examiner, hopes were very high ! Even if I have to start at £7 a hour and do 20 pallets delivery to start again I’ll be happy I told myself. It’s a start, an open door and experience.
A local haulage company with depots all over the UK and a turnover of 170 million pounds ( we had to listen to figures at the interview) were offering free training for newly qualified class 1, uniform, shiny helmet, leather shoes and even a free pen. Clearly free training in class 1 with the scoop to get a secure job is priceless. I went for it, got the job but training in class 1 never materialised. But we have some forklift work for now ! Or you could be a drivers mate but it’s in the next county and 45 minutes away from here. your free plastic pen and uniform is only after your 3 months probation.
After numerous calls to HR and Training department I got sick of the telephone ping pong game, I had to leave. Training was blaming HR for offering the moon, HR was blaming training for not knowing where the moon is. Not a problem, there is always agencies ! Well I don’t know how good are your agencies but here it’s laughable. Loads of jobs advertised for immediate start, £10 per hour, new scheme with free allowances of all sorts, £500 if I stay 3 months, £25 Tesco voucher if I register now, a Thai bride if I get lonely and a free pen for being “me” . Wow ! I might finally get my free pen.
"I can’t discuss the job until you are registered with us " "bring your licences, passport, pay slips, proof of that, proof of this and a proof that the proof is a proof. Once, registered in somehow the job is no longer available because they have found someone permanent but we have plenty of work "next week " . It’s always next week even if it’s Monday today. I have registered with 4 agencies, happy to do nights, working on building sites, happy to drive anywhere.
Finally a phone call, “we have a job for you ! " have you got experience in supermarkets drops ? No but I can learn. “Yeah that’s not going to work for my client” " sorry MATE , we’ll call you back” . Well they don’t call you back.
I want experience, I want to drive again, I would do anything even not being paid while training.
Agencies can’t afford that.
So I went myself to distribution centres directly and ask for training or/and a job. If you are registered with an agency they won’t consider you because they would be charge a fee if you are seen.
Have you been in the same situation ? Or is it just me ? Should I lie and tell them that I’m an ice road trucker with medals of experience?
I’ve also found this problem with experience… I’ve just passed my tests (all but the module 4 which is next week) and have emailed some class 2 jobs and explained that my module 4 is next week and asked if I would be considered but so far they all say they require 2 years experience…
How do you get experience if hardly anyone will take you on?
I just came back from registering with an another agency but I need 2 years commercial experience. Got forklift work tho. So, I’m going to work in a warehouse for 2 years and I won’t touch a lorry and I will be a fine class 1 driver after that ? Never though of that.
If the industry need drivers it need to realise that there is so many doors newly qualified drivers can break until they are going to give up. the training need to be more towards a professional qualification that just a Test. I understand that Gordon Ramsay was a commis chef before becoming head chef but someone gave him that experience and knowledge. Why can’t it be the same in the haulage industry?
Sounds to me that you’ve clearly had a rough ride. Firstly with all the hype from one of the large hauliers followed by the lies that agencies are famed for.
My advice is to pick yourself up and go knocking on doors. Waste of time emailing cv’s. Go and persist in your knocking. Target smaller hauliers and own account operators.
L’amiral:
Thanks Peter for the those words of encouragement. I might consider to relocate now.
Where are you based as that has an impact in terms of work? Some areas have chronic shortages, some not as much. Now is the best time to get in at an agency with Christmas a month away. I’m suprised they messed you around so much at this time of year especially as you have previous experience.
Another bit of advice - If an agency feeds you the line of “We can’t discuss our clients” over the phone you’ll have to come in to register then avoid them because they just want you as a number for their books. Decent enough agencies (popular to contrary belief there are some) will tell you on the phone about the work they have, the pay, shifts etc. They will tell you it’s to do with client confidentiality why they can’t tell you but it’s a load of manure, in reality they are just scared of you either going direct to said company and under cutting their rate or getting a better deal from another agency.
I think it’s the right question, there isn’t a Hub like in Bristol, Birmingham or Portsmouth compare to where I am. I wish agencies were more regulated, to me it’s a grey area just like estate agents. Anyone can open an agency, sub contract to PAYE and the administration. They are not helping the industry nor the vision of the public towards it. The bigger names are often more professional but they are the ones asking for 2 years experience. Lose lose situation. I have decided to pay a DSA certified trainer to give my driving a honest report and assessment for future prospective employers.
L’amiral:
I think it’s the right question, there isn’t a Hub like in Bristol, Birmingham or Portsmouth compare to where I am. I wish agencies were more regulated, to me it’s a grey area just like estate agents. Anyone can open an agency, sub contract to PAYE and the administration. They are not helping the industry nor the vision of the public towards it. The bigger names are often more professional but they are the ones asking for 2 years experience. Lose lose situation. I have decided to pay a DSA certified trainer to give my driving a honest report and assessment for future prospective employers.
Stick with it, there has never been a more relaxed approach to the 2 years experience rule than now, more older drivers leaving the industry due to retirement and the CPC coming in, drivers of all ages leaving due to the CPC, less younger people taking their hgv licences, the economy picking up and so on.
Also even if the ad states x amount of experience then apply anyway - you never know. My first job I got in 2011 stated 3 years experience (obviously I had none) I got. That was in the middle of the recession and financial crisis when companies were going bust left, right and centre.
Try starting out on 7.5t. I have not found a problem getting class 2 work through agencies, only passed yesterday and got 2 offers of class 2 work today and accepted one. I have been doing a few weeks of 7.5t before taking my class 2 so a few agencies knew me, knew I wasnt going to mess them around and already had clients who were willing to give me a go. Also didnt make it a secret that I was on with several agencies at the same time and was in demand. Proves you are good.
find a couple of smaller companies in your area that have gone down the tubes…say you worked for the both of them,provide them with the mobile number for your old boss,and see if they ring him…i.e your mate. obviously he cant provide headed notepaper as he has ceased trading…I took a call for a pal and it worked fine for him,lie through your teeth,and jump in at the deep end,( assuming you can reverse a bit and find a gear). years ago I told whoever I wanted to work for a load of mince and that I was familier with whatever trucks they had…found a gear that didn’t stall the thing,and shudder it out the yard ,then workout what was what out of sight of prying eyes. not so easy now though,but still doo able.
Sod the parasite agencies, get out there and knock on doors, show the operator him/herself that you’re worth employing.
Carry CV’s with you, some here will tell you that a CV is worthless and that may be so in some cases…i’m lucky enough to have a premium job, i knocked on the door for this job and i wouldn’t have got a look in without a CV.
CV one page, the truth with checkable work history and no waffle.
Someone gives you the nod follow it up as fast and as keenly as you can.
I’m doing stuff now for Driver Hire, their Lincoln office is quite good. Well the ladies there are, the men not so much. As for the experience thing, I couldn’t get a full time job with said company yet I can go there as an agency driver with no experience whatsoever… As others have said, get up and hit the streets. Show your face in the yards and people will see what you are and what you want. As for the agency stuff, bug them every couple of days for work. There is work so don’t let them BS you.
ive got a job straight away, first company i rang after a mate said they will possibly give me a shot even been a first timer, rang up, he said whenever your passing call in (i was never going to be passing so made the effort to go the next day, so i was still in his mind) had a quick chat, he said we dont have anything local which was fine with me, then said ooohh whenever you want u can have a go out with a driver to see how you get on, 3 days later they have me out on my own in a brandnew 14 plate doing runs to west yorkshire.
i think been persistent is key, theres probably alot sending emails and they just dont bother replying but if u make them see you or hear you they may feel obliged (sometimes)
Thanks BigDave, radar, Rog, dieseldog, juddian and all the others I have forgotten. I agree it’s about being persistent sadly there isn’t enough jobs where I am. Therefore everyone is holding on to their jobs. What’s the best places in the UK for class 1 ?
dieseldog999:
years ago I told whoever I wanted to work for a load of mince and that I was familier with whatever trucks they had…found a gear that didn’t stall the thing,and shudder it out the yard ,then workout what was what out of sight of prying eyes. not so easy now though,but still doo able.
Went for a job (many moons ago) as a 7.5t driver, I’d been a van driver on parcels for years but had never actually driven a 7.5t, of course it didn’t occur to me that the guy would take me out for an assessment drive so not only did I lie through my back teeth that I had previous experience on 7.5 tonners I also had to show him
I thought I was doing quite well too, I already knew how to fill out a tacho chart (I used to pester the trunk driver when I was at Business Post about all things lorrying) so that bit was a doddle, he did ask if everything was alright after nearly a minute of driving at 30 though, its as soon as he asked me that it dawned on me that the speedo’s had KM/H in large numbers and the MPH were the smaller ones and I’d been travelling along bang on 30 KM/H thinking “■■■■ these things feel slow”
I waffled something about “I like to give the engine time to warm up a bit before I give it some” (he looked at me a bit odd but let it slide)
Reef:
I waffled something about “I like to give the engine time to warm up a bit before I give it some” (he looked at me a bit odd but let it slide)
Probably true actually. Letting the oil warm up etc. etc. I follow that rule in the car. Couple of minutes, then empty a can of beans into the fuel tank (wonder why nobody else’s car stops when they give it the beans )
)