There’s a bum for every seat is a popular saying in the UK Road Haulage industry. If obtaining a HGV/LGV truck driver license was a long standing ambition for some people, once the money is spent, the test is passed and the license is in hand, what next?
Many new drivers are reporting on social media about the struggles they are having actually using their truck license? The fact is, now the pandemic is all but over and the road haulage industry has taken into account Brexit, and the exodus of foreign drivers it brought about, the haulage industry has been forced to adapt and evolve in this the new, ‘post-Brexit’ landscape.
Add to that the date (January thru March is traditionally the quietest time in the British transport industry’s year) and its easy to see why currently, newly qualified HGV drivers in the UK are struggling to find work. So what should they do?
There are a few options. You could go out knocking on doors? Don a clean set of work clothes making sure you have a high viz, safety boots and a pen, and walk as bold as brass into the office of a transport company and ask to speak to the hiring department for truck drivers. Thats it.
There’s no need to mention the fact you are newly qualified…yet.
When you get to speak to the HR people, thats the time for you to lay out your case. Now, they may not have any opportunities for a newly qualified driver on the road, but they may need a yard shunter, either on their own site or at one of their customer premises?
This is a great place to start. Not only will it give a new driver the grounding in tight space manouvering and backing into tight gaps/on to bays etc, but there is another benefit.
The transport office know they have a qualified HGV truck driver shunting trailers and one day, really soon, they will be desperate for a driver to cover a load, and the call will come. This will happen.
So be patient, show some initiative and when you do get to speak to someone who has within their hands the power to offer you a job you may have wanted all your life? Don’t fluff the meeting by coming over all needy and desperate.
The last thing a transport manager needs is a driver who needs his or her hand holding 24/7. They may have another 150 drivers & trucks to manage? Having to be a psychotherapist to each and every one of them is exhausting. By all means ask pertinent questions but listen to the answers and learn from them.
Before you know it, you will be posting on facebook the fact you are going tramping up the road for the first time and you are looking for hard wearing but breathable sock recommendations.
Don’t give up. Don’t take no for an answer and always try to use or at least show some initiative.
Most important? Keep knocking on doors. One of them will open for you.
Good luck!
6AM