Driving Academy

[CharlesG]

Hello

Had email from ‘Driving Academy’ regarding training for MGV / HGV license. In proposed draft contract it says that you must take up vacancy when available regardless of hours.
I was under assumption that you would not *have* to change your hours if you dod not want to? For instance i would find it impossible to to night duties due to current family arrangements to do with childcare.

Any info would be appreciated

(Draft contract attached)

[DGH]

It's pretty clear: if you don't apply for any job that comes up within an hour's travel time of where you live, you'll have to repay a proportion of the costs, varying according to the time since you passed the test.

If you can't change your hours, I'd advise not going for the role unless you're prepared to pay the full amount of the course.

[weary_posty]

Personally (if successful) I plan to stomach the crap for 2 years and then move on elsewhere if things didn’t look any better.

Not often a work funded transferable skill pops up

[crimson king]

I wouldn't mind changing hours etc but this email did prompt a few other questions I wouldn't mind getting some info on before submitting the further answers response to the email.

1. I appreciate, if successful, new starters would get the s**t shifts, but are there any current 7.5t drivers with any info on typical shift patterns?

2. Any current drivers have any info on good stuff about the role as well as bad suff?

3. If successful would they honour leave that is already booked?

4. Would the pay still be weekly and how does it compare to OPG on delivery?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

[Mick100]

I’m to old but if I was in my 20s 30s or 40s I would definitely go for it stick out 2 years then bye bye

[ted_e_bear]

I wouldn't mind changing hours etc but this email did prompt a few other questions I wouldn't mind getting some info on before submitting the further answers response to the email.

1. I appreciate, if successful, new starters would get the s**t shifts, but are there any current 7.5t drivers with any info on typical shift patterns?

2. Any current drivers have any info on good stuff about the role as well as bad suff?

3. If successful would they honour leave that is already booked?

4. Would the pay still be weekly and how does it compare to OPG on delivery?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

Try asking the driver that comes to your DO, should be able to give you some info.

[crimson king]

I wouldn't mind changing hours etc but this email did prompt a few other questions I wouldn't mind getting some info on before submitting the further answers response to the email.

1. I appreciate, if successful, new starters would get the s**t shifts, but are there any current 7.5t drivers with any info on typical shift patterns?

2. Any current drivers have any info on good stuff about the role as well as bad suff?

3. If successful would they honour leave that is already booked?

4. Would the pay still be weekly and how does it compare to OPG on delivery?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

Try asking the driver that comes to your DO, should be able to give you some info.

Yes, good idea ....just thought I'd ask here as there aren't any colleagues with big ears milling about and nosing in

[koolishy67]

Ready for nights sat and Even Sunday if you are not don't apply

[CharlesG]

Yes looks like would have to just lump it then.. and hope to get ‘better’ hours in future

[citypostie]

I wouldn't mind changing hours etc but this email did prompt a few other questions I wouldn't mind getting some info on before submitting the further answers response to the email.

1. I appreciate, if successful, new starters would get the s**t shifts, but are there any current 7.5t drivers with any info on typical shift patterns?

2. Any current drivers have any info on good stuff about the role as well as bad suff?

3. If successful would they honour leave that is already booked?

4. Would the pay still be weekly and how does it compare to OPG on delivery?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

Take a look on success factors there's a few mgv vacancies that will answer a few of them questions. That's what I'm wanting to get into for local distribution rather than logistics.
On the mgv local distribution you're still paid weekly and the basic is about £540 but with shift allowance ontop. There's a reserve duty on there and it says you cover 3 shifts
Earlies starting between 4 and 5.30 am
Lates starting between 10.45am and 2pm
And nights starting after 11pm
I'd be happy doing any of them and I know that at my mail centre they rotate those shifts every week.
As for the holidays im sure they would honour them, it's still royal mail you're working for

[crimson king]

Cheers Citypostie, I'll take a look and thanks again for the info

[SpacePhoenix]

As for the holidays im sure they would honour them, it's still royal mail you're working for

Not sure if any distribution staff are in the same leave groups, got a funny feeling that distribution will have their own leave groups

[citypostie]

As for the holidays im sure they would honour them, it's still royal mail you're working for

Not sure if any distribution staff are in the same leave groups, got a funny feeling that distribution will have their own leave groups

Thats probably right but the fact is they would honour holidays that have been booked if you transferred in just like if someone started at royal mail and already had a holiday booked

[ihatedogs]

I wouldn't mind changing hours etc but this email did prompt a few other questions I wouldn't mind getting some info on before submitting the further answers response to the email.

1. I appreciate, if successful, new starters would get the s**t shifts, but are there any current 7.5t drivers with any info on typical shift patterns?

2. Any current drivers have any info on good stuff about the role as well as bad suff?

3. If successful would they honour leave that is already booked?

4. Would the pay still be weekly and how does it compare to OPG on delivery?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

1) shift patterns are all over the place, but generally, earlies are tues-sat, lates/twilights are mon-fri, nights can be any 4/5 nights over six. Depending on the MC you work in there's a possibility of 3 or 4 day duties on all shifts. As you say, expect to get the s**t shifts, that's how I got on
2) it's easier work than delivery or light van collections, a typical day can be as little as 3 firms calls plus a hub at the end of the duty. It's not physical work, loading/unloading York's is as hard as it gets.
3) can't say for sure but seems reasonable to assume they would
4) weekly pay for 7.5 tonne, monthly for class 1 and 2. £546 a week for 7.5's, can't speak for class 1 and 2.
Hope that helps.

[Whinealot]

Basic for LGV 1 (C+E) class 2 (C) circa £33k and £31k respectively + O/T (hrs over 36.15 pw)+ London allowances if in that area, shift allowance for Lates or Nights I don’t know what day allowances if any are applicable. It’s not too difficult to hit £45K with around 8hrs OT a week (44.15 hrs) on nights outside London VOCs. Most VOCs I know of run 7 days a week and nowadays the business is looking to attract more weekend working so be warned if you have low seniority