Time for a change? What do you think?

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Always wanted to be a teacher / computer programmer for donks. I’ve been a dyslexic (hence spelling) lecturer for 6 years. However it’s starting to get me down because of it’s not just about teaching (which is the best part) it’s about paper work and constant criticism while you try to do your best.

People say I’m a good teacher and I’m sure I am but I think it’s time for a change. I work with the Army Cadet Force on the weekends and I’ve started to realise I prefer being outside and having a laugh.

Always liked driving and enjoy driving big vehicles. :sunglasses:

What do you people think? My major question is:-

I need to have Thursday nights off and some weekends. Would this be possible in your work?

What’s the pay like? What’s the hours like? I work about 40 a week at the moment on £22,000. Will trucking compare?

I plan on doing my class II and I back to back just for the experience. Trying to save up the cash first. :wink:

What do you chaps think? Go for it? Bit of a life changing decision but I’ll appreciate you’re inputs.

Thanks,

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SasyBoy:
What do you people think? My major question is:-

I need to have Thursday nights off and some weekends. Would this be possible in your work?

Anything is possible, the work and the hours are varied and although the norm is for long hours it doesn’t have to be the case…

SasyBoy:
What’s the pay like? What’s the hours like? I work about 40 a week at the moment on £22,000. Will trucking compare?

This is a bone of contention for many in this industry, read through the forums and you’ll see. Depending on you’re location you could earn circa £10/hr on agency, or as little as £6/hr on a wage. This may not appear to compare with what you earn now but bearing in mind you could be working 60-70 hours/week you’re take home pay should be half decent

SasyBoy:
What do you chaps think? Go for it? Bit of a life changing decision but I’ll appreciate you’re inputs.

I’d say you’d have nothing to lose, other than the cost, and you can always fit in driving with what you do now to see if it suits you…

Most of us love the open road :slight_smile:

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Thanks for the reply Steve.

So you think I should do it at least to try and fit in some hours arround my pressent job. I think that sounds good, also I think it’s a skill I’ll enjoy learning.

4

I work for a timber merchant on class 2.

8.00 - 4.45 Monday to Friday.

The office hours jobs tend to pay the worst though I think…certainly not £22k in my case. :frowning:

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aye I wouldn’t mind doing the odd night or even weekend but wonder if I’m kidding myself.

I guess office hours pay bad because of the traffic congestion and it’s easier to get drivers for office hours!?

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SasyBoy:
I plan on doing my class II and I back to back just for the experience.

That’s one of the reasons I did my tests as I had always wanted an LGV licence. I’d think long and hard and do a lot of research before venturing into a career in driving though, it can be a bit of a culture shock when you’ve come from a completely different profession. Having said that there are plenty of people who have made the change to driving and really enjoy it, it’s all down to the individual I suppose.

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oh while I’m here anyone know the best place to look for jobs. Using jobcenter plus for referance at moment.

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The ‘DRIVER VACANCIES’ forum. :unamused:

It’s a bit lower
D
O
W
N
:laughing:

Seriously, you first needs to do your homework (no pun intended) and get around the agencies and find out what work is available and if any do ‘Temp to Perm’ Be wary of any that are offering ‘guaranteed’ work because most of the work you get will be the stuff no-one else wants. :stuck_out_tongue:

Agencies will also have some knowledge of which trainers are good, and which to avoid. And equally, trainers are often aware of what jobs are available, and which companies to avoid.

Best not to visit on Mondays as that is the day that they sort out the payroll for the previous week.

For respectable agencies, try the REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) website.

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Many people on this forum have made a major career change to take up driving, I for one used to be a horse riding instructor. I have recently come into contact with someone who took his class one and works 2 or 3 days a week to enable him to fit in some pretty intensive training in another field and it is all working well for him. Anything is possible with dedication and determination and if this is what you want then go for it. As krankee pointed out we have a forum for job vacancies which is updated regularly, good luck and keep us posted. :wink:

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If you don’t do it will you sit on your chair when it’s to late and think I should have done my HGV’s when I had the chance. Even if you try the job and hate it at least you tried it.

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Thanks all excellent replies that are very helpful.

Muckles I think you’re right. I did this with the army wanted to but didn’t, now I’m too old and regret it. I’m thinking of doing the license if not at least for the experience.

Ladytrucker I think I’ll give it a shot. I can always do some teaching or trucking on the side depending on what I fancy. I’ll go check out that forum.

I’m in Burton on Trent, don’t know what you people think about the area? Apart from it smells of Marmite.

Just took a look at that forum but jobcentre seems to have more for finding an employee. Although I wouldn’t know.

Krankee thinking of doing the clear stone back to back training course.

clear-stone.co.uk/page.php?sect=tra&pg=02

It would cost around £2000 but that’s with an extra two day course and the chance to take the practical test three times including vehicle higher, etc. They seem like nice chaps but what do you people know of these guys? I think it’s expensive but they seem very flexible and can fit around my timetable.

What do you all think?

I also checked out the REC and ended up here:-

driver-hire.co.uk/Burton/Services.htm

Sounds promising. Just given them a bell but they’re calling me back, I’ll let you know.

The job center seems like a good place too though it has (what I think) some interesting jobs in Burton.

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driver higher say:-

It’s limited for work because I would be a new driver with no experiance. They say maybe the odd peice of weekend work with just the cab being delivered. However they also say that gaining excperiance part time may take some time.

Nothing that I didn’t expect I wonder if cab and trailer is possible though.

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What do I think of Burton? I think it’s home! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
I still run agency and find the best work is out of Atherstone, safeways, UCI and bhs. TNT might be a bit much till you have some experience. I have never worked for an agency in Burton but if you are prepared to travel Tamworth agency’s offer much better rates and variety of work, shifts, ect. There is a lot of industry gone up in Swadlincote that will need drivers and of course theres Argos ect, ect. So I don’t think you will struggle even to pick up just a weekend shift. :wink:

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aye Ladytrucker just been phoning people in jobcenter saying if I was quilifed would they offer sat sun or night work. They say mostly yes but some cutomers have driving assesments that I would have to pass. It sounds like just the job :laughing:

Do you think the training I’ve mentioned seems ok?

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SasyBoy:
Krankee thinking of doing the clear stone back to back training course.

I think you will find that Clear-Stone is merely a ‘facilitator’. They connect students with trainers, and pocket a hefty commission.

If you’ve got a day to spare, go and park down by your local test centre and note the local companies. What sort of kit they use. How new are the training vehicles? There’s also normally a sandwich bar nearby. Another source of useful information. :slight_smile: Whether from the owner, or from the Instructors using it during Test. Some tests are conducted on a Saturday morning…So, what are you doing tomorrow? :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

I think it’s fair to say that jobs listed by the Job Centre are only there because no-one in their right mind would consider taking it for the money offered. Add to that an attitude on the part of Employers that anyone sent via a Job Centre, is only there because they have been told to go, or haven’t got the gumption to find vacancies by pursuing other avenues.

The better jobs are normally found by word of mouth or ‘slogging’ round knocking on doors. The mere nature of the work, being reactive, displaying initiative, problem solving, inter-personal skills, etc, is not the sort of material an employer would expect to come from a Job centre referral.

I think the DIA (Driving Instructors’ Association) have a search engine on their site for training organisations.

To appreciate just how difficult it is to pass a test (or should that be - how easy it is to fail…) have a look at the forums on the MSA (Motor Schools Association) and UKDIC (UK Driving Instructor’s Confederation) sites. There is a lot that can be learnt there about what Examiners are actually looking for on test. Almost forgot, also John Farlan’s site. Smartdriving.co.uk.

For the medical, Cotswold Surgeries in the Useful Links forum.

At the risk of causing offence, you appear to be following the ‘easy’ option and give the impression that you expect everything will be presented to you on a plate. It wont. Which is why it is probably better that you came here first.

Another point to consider when choosing a trainer, is whether they use a wagon & drag or an artic for Class 1. No use passing in the former only to later discover that the area demand is for the latter. Another question to raise with local agencies.

You’ve still go a lot of research to do before putting your hand in your pocket.

:laughing: :laughing:

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Just took my class one with a guy called Chris Wooliscroft used him for my 2 as well brlliant bloke with litteraly thousands of passes been going since time began it seems because most of the lads I know have all used him. He does use a fairly old motor though on wagon and drag so i depends on what you want to learn in.
As for Burton there seems to be plenty of work about and as ladytrucker says there are loads of places within 30 mins drive you won’t be out of work in the east mids it’s just finding the right place.

Give it a go you won’t regret it and if your other work goes pear shaped you will always have your licence to fall back on!

Vince

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Krankee thanks for the info lots of useful stuff.

Thanks for the advice about getting training and looking for jobs. Was busy this weekend so didn’t get time to try but maybe take a look next Saturday.

Havn’t checked out those fourms yet but did go through the smartdriving.co.uk. Wow so much info. Also gone out and got a copy of the highway code. Feel like I’m 16 again. :smiley:

No offence.

Geordoevin aye I plan to give it a shot at least for the experiance.

I’ll post if I have more questions from you all but thanks for the help you’ve given me a starting point.

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Krankee:
I think it’s fair to say that jobs listed by the Job Centre are only there because no-one in their right mind would consider taking it for the money offered. Add to that an attitude on the part of Employers that anyone sent via a Job Centre, is only there because they have been told to go, or haven’t got the gumption to find vacancies by pursuing other avenues.

I have to disagree with you there Krankee, I have had a decent job or two from there and it’s worth checking their website once a week or so,explore every avenue

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aye I’m sure they’ll be some goodens in there somewhere. :wink:

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I would probably stay clear of “Clearstone” unless you fancy a big sales pitch, I went direct by recommendation and that worked fine for me (and cheaper than Clearstone) - I am sure you can get some recommendations for your area here.

I am with Driver Hire at the moment, and they have offered me work every weekday I have been with them (between Birmingham, Redditch & Wolverhampton offices) - although sometimes not until mid-morning of the day itself. I think their rates are lower than some, but they seem to have a lot of work in the week. I suspect that any weekend work would be offered to drivers that are with them in the week to keep them sweet so weekend work may be slow if you just use them for that.

G