Hello all. I’m leaving the forces in around 8 months time after 12 years service. I have a class 1 license am forklift and hiab trained through a civilian company and am currently putting myself thru cpc training. I will admit my time behind the wheel of a artic is minimal since Passing my class 1 with a draw-bar. I am booked on for a refresher to bring myself up to speed and have had training with the modern gearboxes that are now in use.
I would like advice on what other courses would be worth while doing while I have the time before I get out and have the course money available but don’t mind paying for the course myself anyway.
I no with a lack of experience it’s going to be tuff getting my foot in the door but any advise on the best way of going about getting work will be very much appreciated.
Hi mate, I’m not long out myself. You are doing right getting the CPC before you leave, I wish I had gotten mine as now I am having to pay for my own (and yesterday was such joy). I looked into re-doing my ADR but when I looked around at pay scales it didn’t really seem worth it.
There are plenty of rides out there and I have found some companies do like ex forces. I dropped lucky as I was only after part time and ended up being offered full time local NW work with a HIAB firm dropping steel, only on class 2 stuff but the money is pretty good. Home every night and the boss is by the book so I know where I stand. Since I have been here I have had a few other offers as well but I like the firm I am with so staying put for now. I might look at trying to get a ride back on class1 if I get bored.
It’s quite funny everything I have asked for I have been given straight away, new chains, new straps and the like. All the X jobs on the motor sorted as soon as I reported them. One of the other drivers saw my new straps whilst I was loading in the yard and he started saying I was daft for buying them, should of seen his bottom lip come out when I told him I just asked the boss and he let me buy them on his account 10 new straps.
Keep the same work ethic do what you’re asked. If I get chance I assist the other drivers loading and strapping instead of sitting on my arse and moaning they are blocking the yard. We all get away a few minutes quicker and everybody is happy.
What area are you looking at settling in?
I did find it a bit frustrating at first, there are some jack ■■■■■■■■ out there. You don’t always get the help and assistance you do in the army from the other guys. Not a lot of all muck in and get the job done, more sit in the cab and moan. But I am finding my feet now and get a feel for which sites are friendly and which are arsholes.
Enjoy the time you have left, I hated the first few months without the army pay going in the bank every month.
I too am out at the end of the year (after 22 years); I have been driving for an Agency at weekends etc. so as to get the experience thing under my belt. Although there are plenty of horror stories out there about agencies I would say that because I am using them to get the experience I want it is me that has the upper hand and a bit of extra cash coming in. I totally agree with Smudger on the work ethic, if you show that you don’t mind getting your hands dirty or helping others you will find that you are soon in a favourable position with those that matter. Its always easy to ■■■■ your teeth and standby as someone in need of help struggles on, but better to help if you can.
A lot of good advice can be found on this site (a lot of tosh too!) when it comes to CV, interviews, opinions etc so choose which is best for you. I would start getting your driver CV started now and then start handing it out to the companies you like the look of when you are about 2 months out from leaving. I have had some success in emailing companies and getting the pukka gen about jobs, but I must admit this is a hit and miss strategy. Whilst on Easter and Summer leave I will start working the agencies in the area I am moving to to get the local experience and also a heads up of companies that may be able to start hiring when I get out. That may be an option you wish to look at.
Hope it works out for you mate, good luck and remember stay low move fast
I’ve been out 11 years, agency work will get you the experience to start of with, try starting out on a rigid 18t, then when you feel confident try some trunking to start off your c+e work and build from there…don’t be scared to ask other drivers for advice, most will help you… & get a drivers hours guard, they are a good bit of kit to keep you legal when you first start out… Good luck
