Finding a job you can rely on not only to continue meeting your expenses year after year but also to offer you a high level of career fulfillment isn’t easy. Even if you know what types of roles you’re comfortable working in, and have numerous transferrable skills, getting that perfect career can be difficult.
If you’ve been having a hard time finding a job that allows you to sleep easily at night, it may be time to begin thinking about changing careers. HGV driving provides a high level of flexibility to professionals and allows them to explore a wide variety of schedules. It is also a highly reliable and secure job as well.
Currently, becoming an HGV driver could be the best way to ensure that you’ll always have food on the table and be able to pay your bills all year round. In fact, the HGV driver crisis has forced companies to do more to make sure that their HGV drivers are happy and well compensated.
Here’s why becoming an HGV driver is a suitable career.
The U.K. Will Always Need HGV Drivers
Let’s begin with the fundamentals, HGV driving is a job that you can be sure will not go away any time soon. While it may be tempting to visualize a future where we do not need huge lorries and trucks to transport goods around the world, it’s simply not realistic or feasible.
The fact is that we’re always going to trucks and lorries to transport everything from large volumes of products (such as medicines and food) to heavy-duty equipment (like machines and appliances). This means we’re always going to need HGVs, as well as competent and skilled people to drive them. Before being an HGV driver, ask yourself: what licence do I need to drive a dumper on the road? Technically, to drive most dumper trucks, you only need a Cat B licence.
Although there have been concerns about certain jobs being “taken over” by robotics and automation, this isn’t a major issue for HGV drivers either. While it’s possible that automation tools and artificial intelligence being used in day-to-day tasks could have an effect on your driving experience, it will not be to the degree where you’re no longer required to be behind the wheel.
The fact is that even if smart cars do become an option one day in the not-so-near future, they’re unlikely to be a cost-effective solution for most companies. Most businesses cannot afford to divert a huge chunk of their budget to buying self-driving trucks and lorries.
Also, because the guidelines and rules surrounding safe driving on U.K. roads are constantly changing, people will always be needed to keep vehicles safe on major highways and roads. It will not be easy to regularly update an HGV software system with the programs needed for it to drive and operate independently.
Regardless of how advanced technology gets, you’ll always be confident about retaining your job as an HGV driver.
HGV Driving Will Always Provide a Decent Wage
You need to have special skills to be an effective HGV driver. You are required to know how to stay safe on major highways and roads, operate heavy-duty equipment, and assess hazards. This means going through the proper training and getting certified in order to be allowed to become an HGV driver.
Not just anybody can become an effective HGV driver. You have to be dedicated to improving your skills as well as getting your certification. Like any career that requires a special skill, this also means you can usually ask for a better wage for the work you do.
Currently, starting salaries vary based on who you’re working for and where you work. However, as per data from Total Jobs, the average salary for an HGV driver is around £32,500. Depending on the type of role you are assigned, you can also enjoy a wide range of benefits, like paid time off, private healthcare, and additional insurance coverage.
