I’ve been loitering here a few days and decided to register and say hello, seems like a really nice community of people
Just passed my C+E test (big thanks to JMW Training at Caenby - fantastic people) and I’m looking for some work, and starting to discover the nightmare of no job without experience Can anyone point me in the right direction with any local companies or agencies ? I live in Lincoln and I’m happy to work in the surrounding area, I have ADR 1-9inc for packages from my previous employment which was driving 3.5tonne vans around, hoping this might help me in someway.
I’ve read lots of the newbie posts on here, is it a normal thing to have an asessment when applying to a company or agency or do they assume you can drive because you’ve passed the test??.
Lycanthrope:
I’ve been loitering here a few days and decided to register and say hello, seems like a really nice community of people
Hi Lycanthrope, WELCOME.
Lycanthrope:
Just passed my C+E test (big thanks to JMW Training at Caenby - fantastic people) and I’m looking for some work, and starting to discover the nightmare of no job without experience Can anyone point me in the right direction with any local companies or agencies ? I live in Lincoln and I’m happy to work in the surrounding area, I have ADR 1-9inc for packages from my previous employment which was driving 3.5tonne vans around, hoping this might help me in someway.
CONGRATULATIONS on your C+E test pass
I’d say that your ADR will stand you in good stead, because it’s automatically valid for whatever vehicle you’re licenced to drive without any further action on your part.
Lycanthrope:
I’ve read lots of the newbie posts on here, is it a normal thing to have an asessment when applying to a company or agency or do they assume you can drive because you’ve passed the test??.
It’s a matter of company policy mate, some will ask an applicant to undertake a driving assessment and some don’t.
dieseldave:
I’d say that your ADR will stand you in good stead, because it’s automatically valid for whatever vehicle you’re licenced to drive without any further action on your part.
thanks for your comments feeling welcome here already
I have all 9classes on my ADR for packages, someone told me this was quite rare But I dunno. Last company I worked for mainly moved class1 for the MOD but they put me through everything.
Then had an arguement with boss in November because i didn’t get paid, and never gave me any more work after that. So here I am, Started training with JMW in March? passed C 2nd time in April and C+E in May. Don’t have any experience of driving trucks apart from while learning, did do a few months working on the ex-raf base where the company was, driving 7.5tonners round the site loading and unloading (offroad so didn’t need license) but and only really driven vans around.
So now me, Age 25, I have C+E license, ADR all classes for packages, Digitacho card, and a RHA certificate for a drivers hours course I did. and thats about it.
Don’t really know where to go from here, I’ve sent cv’s to some locals and agencys but nobodys bothered to reply yet so feeling a bit lost
So now me, Age 25, I have C+E license, ADR all classes for packages, Digitacho card, and a RHA certificate for a drivers hours course I did. and thats about it.
Don’t really know where to go from here, I’ve sent cv’s to some locals and agencys but nobodys bothered to reply yet so feeling a bit lost
Good insurance age with good licences and ADR + got digi tacho and ready to go - start knocking on doors and get face to face meetings
Congrats on passing your tests and those added certificates will help you on the way. It does take time to get into this work, but once you are, you will not regret it. When I passed my class 2, I kept being told I would need 2 years experience. Like other members say on here ask around and there will be someone willing to give you a start. I started off with agency work, but was lucky to meet someone to double man with across the water. Loved this until I retired, but still get out in the truck with hubby now and then. Keep on truckin mate.
Agree with all the above, I started knocking on doors and hit the experience brick wall, I’ve registered with 4 agencies, and I’m having to turn work down.
after several weeks of talking to useless agencies and getting no work at all, I got a reply from a job application calling me for an interview
Feeling excited already, does anyone know of a company called Noble Foods based at Gainsborough. I have seen their website and it looks like eggs and poultry, seen their trucks on the road and they were refrigerated. Anyone have more info on this company or that type of work ? Thanks in advance.
Lycanthrope:
Anyone have more info on this company or that type of work ? Thanks in advance.
Hi Lycanthrope, I’ve no idea about the company except to say that I’ve heard of the name. Somebody with local knowledge will soon give you the lowdown I guess.
Modern fridge units pretty much take care of themselves, because they have far more ‘automatic’ features than when I drove fridges.
They still have oil and water that needs checking periodically, and you’ll need to set a thermostat type device to the required transport temperature for the product that you’re carrying.
Depending on the length of journey, there might be a requirement for you to monitor the temperature inside the 'fridge.
I’m fairly sure that the firm will give you an induction type talk and some training in their methods of working. These can vary from firm to firm, so I’d advise you to take note of what they want you to do. My best tip is to be totally honest at the interview if you’ve never done 'fridge work before, cos if you don’t, they’ll spot you as a fraud very quickly indeed.
thanks for that Dieseldave I found a newslink on google about one of their trucks in an accident and escaped chickens running around the motorway. So can assume they transport live animals too. What does this involve ?
Lycanthrope:
thanks for that Dieseldave I found a newslink on google about one of their trucks in an accident and escaped chickens running around the motorway. So can assume they transport live animals too. What does this involve ?
I’ve done live chicken collections for Marshall’s, which became Grampian Counrty Foods, in Sandycroft, Deeside.
If Noble’s run like Grampian did, you (usually) drive drive an artic or a wag ‘n’ drag and go to chicken farms to collect the chickens.
Once you arrive, you’ll usually meet the ‘catching gang’ and they’ll unload the modules (chicken cages with drawers) and place the correct number of chickens in each drawer. They’ll then replace the modules on your truck and you then resecure the modules with tension straps. You then drive back to base, and the guys there will do their bit. Usually, the driver washes the truck with a disinfectant and maybe you get another run, or you go home. That’s the way I used to do it anyway.
Sometimes (when there’s a backlog back at base) you may be asked to take a trailer full of chickens and drive them around for a while. This is no joke, they’ll die otherwise, then they can’t be used for human food if not killed correctly in the processing plant. The strange thing about chickens is that they’re OK in winter, but they’re unable to cool themselves whilst they’re in the modules in the heat of summer. Many was the time I’ve taken a trailer full of chickens for a drive around with no particular place to go. Easy money.
I know of one firm, who shall remain nameless, that lost a whole trailer load of chickens (approx 4,500) one summer for that very reason.
A point to watch: The centre of gravity of the trailer is higher than normal, so you’ll need to take it steady on roundabouts, turns and bends.
Every live chicken collection driver will be able to tell you a story about one of their firm’s trailers ‘going over.’
Several of ours ‘went over’ but it wasn’t me.
BTW, don’t forget to take some wellies if you’re doing live collections. Oh, and DON’T stand near the sides of the trailer when there’s chickens on board, otherwise they’ll bomb you.
Can anyone point me in the right direction with any local companies or agencies ? I live in Lincoln and I’m happy to work in the surrounding area, I have ADR 1-9inc for packages from my previous employment which was driving 3.5tonne vans around, hoping this might help me in someway.
:D:D
But I dunno. Last company I worked for mainly moved class1 for the MOD but they put me through everything.
