ALT-1 Truck Driving is it right for you as a Career Move
If this question were to be asked 15-20 years ago, then I would have said yes, it's an excellent career move, simply because professional drivers were identified as having a tangible skill, such as plumbers, electricians and other similar jobs which could be physically used. But, in recent years colleges, employers, universities etc have focused more on e-business and less tangible skills which we still need.. This in turn has lead to a decreased knowledge of what the job actually entails, and how important truck drivers are to the economy, and the sustainability of our country.
In recent years the industry has radically changed itself from one of a well respected career, to a cut throat business that most wish to leave because of poor pay and poor working conditions. Along with this their has been an increase in driver stress on most journeys, as in an effort to reduce costs, companies have ended up cutting corners by removing drivers mates/2nd drivers and purchasing cheaper trucks which have a tendency to breakdown along with many other money saving gimmicks, which are precisely that, gimmicks. They have the appearance of saving money, but they generally don't.
Another reason for driver stress is that companies are very quick to dismiss employees who are not working as quickly as the employer would like, even if the employee cannot work any faster. In demands to reach the ever greater employee expectations, the employee breaks laws, drives to fast, doesn't stop for mandatory breaks which all endanger the employee and the people around them.
Current truck drivers are expected to driver ever larger trucks with little or no extra training, and they are expected to take their vehicles down small old streets which are not suitable for the vehicle they are driving.
Added to the fact that the average Class 1 (C+E) HGV driver earns between 18,000 - 22,000 per year for an average of 60 hours per week, the job is neither beneficial to the drivers bank balance or their health.
Overall, I believe truck drivers play a fundamental role in keeping the country running as it should be, conditions of work and reduced pay will only lead to their being a reduced number of drivers, as those who would have opted for a career as a truck driver, will opt for better paid jobs which are invariably office jobs.
I believe the only place that can be counted as being a good career move, are those who join the Armed Forces to become HGV drivers. In the Armed Forces you are respected, you are paid well, and you have the opportunity to gain promotion irrelevant of your background and what qualifications you actually have.
The Armed Forces pay starts at around 12k per year, but at 16-18years old this is an excellent salary, in a stable job, where the training doesn't depend on budgets but more ability and the equipment to do the job is provided, along with the benefits every person in the Armed Forces gets such as discounted housing, discounted food, free medical and dental treatment from world class medical teams.
