Lucky Welsh boys
Page 39
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I read Johnny Johnson's article about training young men for hgv drivers. "They catch them young in Wales" (CM July 19) with great interest, but when I had finished it I was furious. I am Just 21 and for five years I have had a great ambition to be an hgv driver, especially doing Continental driving. When I got the key of the door it was also the key to a new career, or so I thought.
In Norwich there are numerous haulage firms; many are well known so I thought, "Right, let's phone up a few to see who will take me on as a trainee driver, which shouldn't take long," But two hours later and after 50p worth of phone calls and with three-quarters of the hauliers crossed out of the Yellow Pages I was still no further forward than five years ago. No one wanted to know about training drivers — only Class One licence holders.
"Right," I thought, "so let's phone the Department of Employment.
-No we haven't anything at all on our books," I was told,
"Do you put people on training courses for hgv driving?"
"Yes, but it has been suspended for a year."
"Why is that?" I enquired. "We have no instructor or vehicles and we have a backlog of drivers waiting for training."
Another 5p phone call wasted, so I decided to go it alone. Yes, I was successful, I booked in for a week's training, for Class One by a private instructor, cost £60 plus £6 for test fees. I have since taken my test after a week's training, but failed. So I am back to square one. Every time I read the local newspaper there are at least five jobs for Class One drivers, but no one wants trainees. So now you know why I was furious, but I tell a lie, JEALOUS, after reading about the lucky boys in Wales.
I am hoping you can tell me if I can get a grant for hgv training. If I can hope to try again unless you have any other suggestion.
DAVID SHAILER, Norwich.
[Under the Training Opportunities scheme operated by the Department of Employment you should be able to register DoE hgv driver training by a local GTA. If accepted you will be trained free and receive an appropriate Social Services allowance while under training. — Ed.]