How to get experience?

[broadside]

Hello all!

I've been a lurker here for a while and am in need of some advice.

I was made redundant a few months back and I decided to do my C licence and then do my C+E as it was always something I'd wanted to do since being a a youngster.

I'm now in my mid 40's, I passed my C licence three weeks ago and I'm doing a HIAB course later this week. My C+E training doesn't start until the end of January (weather permitting), so I thought I'd try and get some agency work for a few weeks to tide me over. However, the majority of jobs are requiring a minimum of six months experience with most being two years.

I've held my drivers licence for 29 years which is clean and I've had no insurance claims in that time either, so I can't be too bad on the road. I even passed my C licence with only 4 minors.

So its a chicken and egg situation I find myself in.... I can't get a job without experience, so how do I go about getting experience so I can get a job? It's quite frankly doing my head in as I could really do to start pulling a wage in of some description. I'm based in the North East of England.

Thanks.

Edited by broadside on Thursday 20th November 10:06

[broadside]

Thanks for the replies.

I have tried to sign with a few agencies but their response has been the same. Minimum 6 months preferably with 2 years. Seems to be an insurance stipulation rather than anything else.

Anyhow, I did sign on with a local agency yesterday so hopefully I'll get something soon, and as advised I will take on everything and anything to get the experience I need when it becomes available.

[broadside]

Thanks Truck71! I'm doing my C+E in January, just wanting to get some money in over the next few weeks to tide me over. As you say, lots more opportunity with a C+E even in the North East.

I'm doing my HIAB training course tomorrow to help give me some differentiation.

[broadside]

What a difference a week makes!

I did my HIAB course last Saturday and my instructor asked if I was looking for a job. He said that the haulage firm his offices are based in were looking for a class 2 driver. I rang the firm on Monday and they asked if I would spend a couple of days with them to see if the available job was of interest. I had a fun couple of days and learned lots at the same time.

They offered me a job last night and I start on Monday.

Thanks for all your help and advice it has been really useful!