I have been wanting to move beyond curtain-siders /boxes / fridges for a while now. I have tried to follow the adage of learn how to walk before you can run. So having only been driving professionally for 2 years, I’ve just been thankful to work at all and have anyone take a punt on me.
I have done some of my own research and gone down the rabbit hole so to speak and read around plant haulage, which seems really appealing (I’ve ready about all the horror stories about the muck and the rain). I’ve become aware of 8wheels and his blog and looked at the usual job boards, which has lead to some questions.
It seem a fair amount of jobs want additional driver qualifications such as:
CPCS
NPORS
ALLMI
I’ve looked into what these are, but for things like CPCS / NPORS it doesn’t specify what ticket.
Additionally, the cost of getting some these tickets is almost the same as getting your initial commercial vehicle licence.
It seems to be the age old problem of employers want experience, but no-one wants to be the one to get you said experience, plus the additional complication of formal tickets. I was hoping some of you more experienced veterans could share some advice no how to tackle this hurdle?
ALLMI generally comes up when people talk about HIABs. Yes, it is expensive, and it is the one most people think is the best, but it is NOT a legal requirement. You could if you were lucky find a place that will train you up on hiab and might have some alternative “ticket”, which for their requirements is adequate. They could even create their own “ticket” only valid for work with them My first hiab job was a lot like that (back in 2010)
NPORS covers a large range of training for a variety of plant
CPCS similarly covers a wide range of training for different machinery.
Both these last two really have nothing to do with driving a truck, these are separate occupations to HGV driving.
If you want a change into that line of work, you’ll probably want to find a place that is willing to train you up, so you won’t be getting big bucks
I was assuming the were wanting the A49 loaerd securer CPCS / NPORS card which requires you to have done the CITB health and safety assessment or a green general operative card, which means youve been trained to be safe on site?
Also the CPCS website says that ALLMI cards have the CPCS logo on now as they are recognised as being the authority on lorry loaders and lorry mounted cranes.
Either way to get all of the above seems to be a very large cost barrier to entry. It strikes me to be unlikely that every step frame driver on site has spent close to 5K self sponsoring these tickets, or am I being ignorant in that regard?
I went from general haulage with 7.5t dropsider and test driving fire trucks as a works driver.To mostly plant haulage as a council driver virtually overnight.
Was just told you’ll find the Clydesdale multi lift flat in the yard somewhere and chains and tensioners are thrown in the cab.
Muir Hill loading shovels and Drott dozers were the usual loads.Sometimes tractors with cutting equipment.
Load security is absolutely critical with big heavy indivisible loads like plant.Where to anchor it, how to anchor it, and correct directions of pull on the chains.Attached machinery needs to secured separately in its own right especially side acting booms etc.
Haven’t got a clue what all those letters mean.But you’re right the only way you’ll get the required experience is by doing the job and making a few mistakes along the way.
Yes, for whatever reason of mutually compatible standards, ALLMI “tickets” get you your CSCS card. Having said this, I’ve delivered to countless building sites and have never been asked for my hiab ticket nor if I had a CSCS card - which is just as well for the latter as I’ve never had one
Don’t quote me on this but I have previously been led to believe the MPQC (formerly EPIC) card also doubles as a CSCS card
Have you seen the price of the ALLMI tickets? Close to £800 last time I looked, and they’ve dropped the “refresher course”, even experienced hiab operators have to do the longer “novice” course each time.
Be careful with ALLMI tickets for Hiab (crane).
They’re split into upto 20t/m and over 20 t/m
Upto 20 t/m is what most builders merchant type trucks have (category c) but for heavier cranes you need the class d ticket.
I’ve just got my Allmi (as in still waiting for the card) ( it will come with CSCS for free (as you seem to have already realised)).
I’m not sure it would be worth spending the £800 or so yourself to get it because if you go for a job that requires it, they will want experience as well. So why not do the same as me and get a job that is offering free training, and obviously then experience.
It sounds like he wants to get into plant hire rather than operate a big crane, so up to 20m/t should be sufficient for the free CSCS as well as just that added value even if a crane is not going to be used. Doesn’t all plant come on wheels?
That’d be the ideal, however, all adverts around me ask for
CPCS or NPORS - doesnt specify which ticket
ALLMI as a nice to have
As well as the usual conundrum of please be experince without having the opportunity to get any expeince. Feels like trying to get my first driving job again
Yes but most of the plant hire companies like Speedy hire etc seem to run 4 axle rigids with beaver tail bodies and a crane behind the cab.
The cranes seem to be quite sturdy looking and probably over 20 t/m.
I’d agree. With that.
jewsons are normally always advertising and will put you through your hiab which will save you some money from paying yourself Travis Perkins do as well.
Not sure if there almi though . Plus once passed be using one daily which looks good on Any future job applications
Bloody typical.