Where is the best place to find HGV drivers jobs?

After recently passing your HGV/LGV Driving Test, can you be sure that you will recoup the cost of getting your HGV driving licence and finding lorry driving work.

At Wallace School of Transport we keep a close eye on drivers’ employment situation. 

There is a shortage of trained drivers

It's official, the recent report from CILT - The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport confirms that major employers like Norbert Dentressangle Dentressangle (now known as XPO Logistics), Marks & Spencers, and Premier Foods are experience difficulties in recruiting.

I’ve only just passed, what about experience?

There's no doubt that some employers have difficult and complicated driving jobs so would prefer someone who has years of job knowledge and driving skills to fall back on, and those employers are prepared to pay more to recruit such drivers, but remember even those experienced drivers started their driving career somewhere.

Isn't it a bit like the chicken and the egg, which came first - if you haven't got experience, some people say you can't get the job, and without the job how can you get experience?  It does seem impossible in some situations - but it needn't be.

The answer is to approach an employer whose drivers roles are perhaps a little more simple.  They may not be paying the best rates but they will be willing to take on newly qualified people and give you some support to build your skills and knowledge of working in logistics.   Maybe you'd consider working with a lower grade of licence, like LGV C1, for a short while.  And if your employer has a range of size of vehicles, they'll be happy to boost you up to one of the bigger vehicles on the fleet once you've proved yourself a diligent and helpful worker.

Driver Development Programmes

Remember, good companies have a track record of supporting drivers and providing proper induction training, they'll introduce you to the complexities of their vehicles, equipment and facilities - not just through you in at the deep end, leaving you to fend for yourself -and don't forget if you need some extra support phone us, at the school, or your instructor and we'll help where we can. 

Often larger companies have Driver Development Programmes to boost drivers’ skills, as this helps the company achieve better fuel economy, less wear and tear on tyres, etc. as well as a low accident and incident rates that help with their insurance costs.  And these development programmes are often linked to Driver CPC Training so can count towards your 35hrs Driver Qualification Card renewal which is a double bonus for any new driver.

In our next blog, we'll explore the 'secrets' to getting your first HGV driving job and give you some tips for some tools of the job.