I know most of you lot dont like kids such as me on this forum, but i am 17 and i have a car licence so im not a kid really. My question is with the industry like it is, is it worth me going to speak to companies to try to get on as a drivers mate? Or would i be p[zb]ssing in the wind? College isnt working out for me and ive got another 8 months till im 18 so im snookered for what to do but i really want to get into this industry any which way, ive enquired about warehousing jobs at all my local companies with no luck, so this is my next attempt. Thanks.
No harm in trying
There are some companies out there that have Drivers mate’s, but not many…
Hi.It may sound a bit strange but is it worth\possible to get a license to drive an excavator,digger,bucket loader,or even forklift as a roundabout way into transport.The reason i mention this is because up here if you have licenses for heavy machinery you are never out of work and companies will help you get the other licenses.Mike
Get in touch with an abnormal load firm. There’s a couple round Preston, and then there’s loads coming out of Heysham, Liverpool, and Birkenhead.
Usually they use ■■■■■■ vehicles which arn’t HGV’s, so there’s an option.
They also need a second man for certain loads, This can be an alternative to an ■■■■■■ vehicle.
Prove yourself with dedication and reliability.
Get yourself down to Walton summit, try Montgomerys, woodsides and a few others! 
smart appearance, shaved even if you help out in the yard roping and sheeting it’s all a learning curve for you! Many won’t have a drivers mate as such ( insurance ■■■■■ ) but if you don’t ASK you don’t get! 
you can drive, so that’s a start what you’ve got to do is peck, peck and peck till they get bored of you peckin! I hope it works out for you, as you’re using your initiative and you’re THE future pal! 
Fresh Direct have a depot in Wigan and I guess they use mates on night shifts like Bicester do.
coop lea green use 2nd men £6.50ph it wud be with adr network not wincanton
I would think that most of the “driver’s mate” jobs these days are really porters. If you don’t mind a bit of graft it could be a way into the industry.
Best of luck, matey.
I think most drivers mates are the ones who help carry fridges/ washing machines into houses these days. At least in Devon.
Pickfords or any removel company .a bit of graft but as im goes on you could end up getting ur C
Have you thought about the forces?
I had my HGV at 17 1/2 and was running over to Germany and back at 20.
Not everyone is in Afghanistan there’s still plenty of kit to be shifted over here.
If you read some threads on here you’l know you don’t even need to do a test you just turn up at the careers office.
Two laps of that and your on tank transporters a day later.
Heres a picture of a class one HGV course 
or you could just knuckle down and make collage work for you, i know it sounds like the same old twaddle i heard at your age but trust me read through some of the threads on hear …
£6.50 per hour some are on , thats if you can get work … good luck.
Why not ring round removal companys there use porter loading unloading mite give you a chance
I drove a removals truck in 2005 and the porter were young as you to need fit,
Soldier z:
Not everyone is in Afghanistan there’s still plenty of kit to be shifted over here.
Who decides who stays here and who goes to war?
What course are you doing at college? HGV mechanic apprentices are a great way to get in and give you a skill for life. Also a driver who can spanner is more likely to get a job, especially with plant and machinery work. Try Hi-line at Blackpool. They have mates for moving static caravans.
a couple of ideas for you to get your foot in the door.
try argos for drivers mate,
courier companies for loaders and unloaders (mostly nights and its all hand ball)
any haulage company (just go into them and say that you want to be a driver and you know you have to start at the bottom, so you will start with the brush)
it pains me to say this but there is 1 company that does a young apprenticeship thing and if you pass certain levels on the course they will put you through the tests.
the comany name is
s s st sto stob stobar stobarts
(just off to wash me mouth out with bleach):lol::lol:
hutpik:
Hi.It may sound a bit strange but is it worth\possible to get a license to drive an excavator,digger,bucket loader,or even forklift as a roundabout way into transport.The reason i mention this is because up here if you have licenses for heavy machinery you are never out of work and companies will help you get the other licenses.Mike
You have to be 18 to drive plant over here, Hutpik. Farming might be a better choice, plenty of practice with tractor and trailer etc.
hutpik:
Hi.It may sound a bit strange but is it worth\possible to get a license to drive an excavator,digger,bucket loader,or even forklift as a roundabout way into transport.The reason i mention this is because up here if you have licenses for heavy machinery you are never out of work and companies will help you get the other licenses.Mike
Most jobs in this country on plant are now agency,unless you start on a dumper you’l be off by bait time if you try getting work without experience on a 360/shovel,no good just having the bit of plastic.
I would have a bit think,if you get into driving whats the future hold,prospects for advancement,future earnings?I f I was starting off now,I would try and get on one of the,admittedly few,good apprentice schemes,eg Network Rail,or Finnings,the CAT dealers,3 or 4 years,then a bit of post apprentice experience and you can be looking at well paid job opportunitys all over the world,as opposed to sleeping in a layby?Just a thought?
limeyphil:
Get in touch with an abnormal load firm.
They also need a second man for certain loads,
Thats were i started , the first time i ever put a truck in gear and moved it forward it was nearly 100ft long , i,m sure with h&s crap now it wouldnt be allowed but no one batted an eyelid years ago