For The Record

I actually enjoy my role with Miers. It's a nice easy number. Wagon preloaded. The forklift op knows what he's doing. I haven't has an issue with how the wagon is loaded. This it telling because its a flatbed and the load is exposed. The positioning is good. I can strap/secure everything. The goods are wrapped properly. Compare this with those dudes at the other place who think they know what they are doing but don't and I prefer Miers hands down. Miers forkies are not as good as CCF but if they joined the CCF team it wouldn't take much for them to be on par.  Moving over to Calor will be more intense. This is a definite when I am starting out. It was the same when I learned how to use a moffett. It took time for it to click and become second nature. It took a good 12 months for the moffett to become an extension of myself to the point I could almost operate it blind folded - both loading and unloading a wagon. I've gotten pretty good even if I do say so myself....

I really love the outcome of today's brief introduction to Calor, the preliminary induction, initial testing, driver assessment and stage 1 interview. If it went any better it would have been a clean sweep of perfection. Since perfection doesn't exist it could've led to heartbreak and disappointment in the long term, whereas being a little rough around the edges leaves room for improvements. Going in rusty and graduating as a glowing example might make a trainer happy when they tell me I've come on leaps and bounds. I can then attribute it to their ability to teach. Chris is a sound bloke and communicated everything effectively. He was a sound driver assessor and where I needed tips he explained where I went wrong and how I can improve. His approach was good. They picked the right man for the job. Thankfully, I only made one significant booboo whilst out on the road. I was taken down a busy industrial estate and the challenge was to turn the wagon around and head back t...

This entry is going to be quick and easy. I am now ADR trained with 28 hours about to be added to my CPC log. The exams were a little frustrating. I thought my way out of some correct answers yesterday and on one of the modules I only scored around 87% getting 3 wrong. That was my worst effort. Today I scored 100% on the Tankers exam and I am quite pleased about this. Tankers is where I think I want to be heading. I am still on a trajectory to hit my £22/hr milestone. Let's recap the GXO situation Class 1 Day Driver One of the most forward-thinking and fast-growing logistics companies Full-time Permanent Monday to Friday Start between 04:00 – 06:00 £43,361.00 Multi drop Average 3- 7 drops per day 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) Flexible dental insurance plans Company sponsored pension scheme 24/7 online GP service Life assurance Comprehensive employee assistance programme Benefits Operating the vehicle in safe and legal manner Guarantee it has been loaded correctl...

Today is October 16th I applied for Calor via Manpower October 4th I applied directly to Calor on October 10th I spoke to Emma from Manpower on October 13th and the opportunity sounded promising. The very next day I had this email from Calor  My heart sank I forgot I applied via Manpower as well as directly through Calor's recruitment portal It seemed like a closed case when I got that email I've gotten so used to having my ADR applications ignored on the basis I lack experience that having the door closed once more was almost expected Today, Emma called me and said she has sorted out an interview for me with Calor, and on the day I will also be completing a driving assessment I was a little surprised since the email from Calor suggests the job had gone to someone else Perhaps, my resume is the one that is more closely aligned? Recap Class 2 ADR Tanker Driver  ✔️ This is what I want Smedrock ✔️ Local, this will help a lot with those shifts Temporary  ✔️ Not committed...

I am casting my mind back to July 2020 when  I was contemplating my first Class 2 HGV driving job Training to becoming a HGV driver was a newly acquired skill for life! I initially considered it to be my fall back option with horticultural pursuits as my headline I had made a promise to myself that I would never go back on benefits and saw this juncture as a turning point The likelihood I'd be on £27/hour right off the bat was thin, but it was definite I'd be earning in a week more than I was picking up monthly from the dole office.  This was considered a good start It's now 2025, with just over 2 months until 2026 Little did I know that over five years would elapse since I got into professional driving without following through on my passion for horticulture When I stared out in this road haulage chapter, even though it wasn't intended to become a long term fixture, I had it in mind that my plans should include further study that might help me to become more employable...

  Class 2 ADR Tanker Driver - Birmingham Reference Number: 424841 Published Date: 09/10/2025 Job Type: Temporary Salary: £16.63 - £24.94 Per hour Location: Smedrock Hours: Full Time / Day Shift / 42 hours    4 on 4 off / 6am Start / Weekends + Shift allowances    £698.46 basic and £872.97 based on 42 hour a week.    £997.80 basic and £1,247.10 based on 60 hour week. Are you a Class 2 ADR driver seeking a new opportunity? Join our client's team at Birmingham and enjoy: Competitive Pay: Earn £16.63 per hour, guaranteed 42.5 hours per week, overtime rates of £24.94 Weekends paid at £24.94 Rates are PAYE, 28 days holiday per year which increase with length of service. Bonuses: Earn up to £1000 every six months Flexible Shifts: 4 on 4 off Shift pattern starting at around 6am. Some weekend shifts required in busy times which are paid at overtime rate. Perks: Free on-site parking, provided PPE, comprehensive training . Career Development: Access t...