Finding the right job that not only helps you pay the bills comfortably but also gives you personal fulfillment can be very difficult. This is even true if you already know what you are passionate about and if you have all kinds of transferrable skills. Finding and choosing the right career is never easy.
If you haven’t been able to find that job that gives you everything you want and needs, it could be an opportune time to start transitioning to another career. One of the careers you may have never thought about is becoming an HGV driver. Not only does being an HGV driver allow you to maintain high-level flexibility, but it also helps you gain that job security that you don’t get with other career choices.
You will find the demand to be very high for professional HGV drivers. Starting a career in HGV driving is one of the best ways to ensure that you have a guaranteed job and a good source of income for years to come. The HGV driver crisis has forced a lot of companies to work much harder than ever before to keep their HGV drivers satisfied.
Here are some of the reasons why it might be time to take the jump into becoming an HGV driver:
The UK Will Always Have a Demand
One of the main things that you need to look at when you are choosing a career is the demand both short-term and in the future. HGV driving is a job that you can bank on being there for years to come. It’s not going anywhere. It’s not a job that will become obsolete all of the sudden. While you may think there is a future where society doesn’t need large trucks transporting goods around, that’s simply unrealistic.
We will continue to need large trucks to carry all kinds of equipment and goods, including food and medications. Thus, there will always be a high demand for professional HGV drivers and those that have the skills to drive these trucks.
While there have been plenty of concerns about various jobs getting taken over by robots, HGV driving isn’t one of them. While artificial intelligence is bound to make its way to various aspects of life and while it may impact the driving experience, it’s not going to substitute the drivers themselves. To get your class 2 HGV license, you have to take category C training. Category C is a smaller truck, normally used for making local deliveries.
The truth is, even if there are autonomous vehicles on the road and they become a viable option, they aren’t going to be cheap. Thus, smaller businesses aren’t going to have the budget to afford them. These vehicles will cost way too much to be viable soon. The majority of companies would never be able to fork out the millions that it would take to get a fleet of self-driving trucks.
Likewise, because of the various guidelines that exist on the road in the UK, there will always be a need for humans to operate these trucks anyway. The rules are in a constant state of flux. Thus, humans will be needed to ensure the vehicles are adhering to them. The software on these self-driving vehicles wouldn’t be able to update quickly enough to trust that the trucks are driving properly.
It doesn’t matter how advanced technology becomes, there will always be a need for human intervention. Thus, your job as an HGV driver is safe.
It’s Always Going To Provide a Good Income
One of the main things that you are likely concerned with when you are picking careers is your earning potential, and rightfully so. Luckily, HGV driving is a skill-based career. You will be forced to develop these skills through experience. You’ll be driving through hazards, operating large machinery, and learning how to stay safe while driving in all kinds of conditions. Thus, you will need to go through extensive training and earn certificates.
You won’t be able to grab someone off the street and have them take your job. Becoming a good HGV driver takes work and dedication to the craft. Like any other job that requires these skills, you have solid earning potential. The more certifications you earn and the more skills you acquire, the more you can make.
The majority of starting salaries for HGV drivers will vary based on where you are working and what company you are working for. According to Total Jobs, you can expect to get an average of £32,500 as a starting salary as an HGV driver. You will likely also get a range of different benefits to go along with the salary, including private healthcare insurance and more.