Britain and Northern Ireland began giving out 5,000 short-term visas in the fall of 2021 to help the food and fuel businesses, which were short on HGV and truck drivers. In this plan, there is also a limited exception for HGV drivers from countries where they don’t need a visa. These drivers can ask for permission to work at the border and do so. The New York Times says that the UK government thought there were not enough 100,000 drivers.
This job hasn’t been on the list of skilled work visa jobs in the UK or Northern Ireland since last year. It’s an HGV truck driver. Even so, some companies are willing to hire foreign truck drivers or at least help them get visas. Truck drivers make between €11 and €18 an hour and get a lot of other benefits as well.
Details of HGV Truck Driver Jobs in Northern Ireland:
- Job Industry: Transport
- Job title: Heavy Good Vehicles Truck Driver/ Truck Driver
- Job country: Ireland
- Job Type: Full Time
- Experience Required: High
- Knowledge Required: Not High
- Age Limit: 18 and up
- Free Food: Mostly No
- Free Accommodation: No
- Free Medical Insurance: Mostly Yes
- Free Transport: No
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes or No
- Salary: between €11-18
Requirements:
- Minimum Age: People who want to apply must be at least 18 years old.
- Full Driving License: As a driver, you must have a full license.
- Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC): To drive professionally, you need a CPC, which makes sure that you meet safety and skill standards set by the industry.
- Full Driver’s License: Applicants must pass several driving tests, usually five, to get a full driver’s license.
- Experience: Applicants should have driven trucks before and know the rules of the road in their area. The amount of experience needed changes from job to job and can be anywhere from 7 months to 5 years.
- Education: Many companies don’t have specific educational requirements, but some may want applicants with GCSEs or something similar.
- English Proficiency: You must be able to speak and write English well. To get a skilled worker visa, you may need to show IELTS scores if the company doesn’t support the visa.
- Visa Requirements: If you are asking for a visa from outside the UK or to work in Northern Ireland, you must meet all of the requirements.
How can I become a free HGV Driver in Northern Ireland and UK?
To become an HGV driver, you can do one of the things below: A skilled boot camp, B an apprenticeship, C a vocational course, and D a driving school course. The best way to go is to take Skilled Boot Camp, a free course that lasts up to 16 weeks. But you can go to all of these places in the UK and Northern Ireland. So, you have to be in the UK in some way that lets you stay with a visa.
Benefits of HGV Truck Driver Jobs in Northern Ireland:
- Competitive Wages: HGV drivers in Northern Ireland frequently receive competitive salaries, particularly for long-haul or specialized routes. Additional responsibilities or overtime may result in increased earnings for experienced chauffeurs.
- Job Security and Demand: The demand for logistics and supply chain management is on the rise in Northern Ireland, which has resulted in a high demand for HGV vehicle drivers. This has resulted in long-term job stability.
- Working Hours Flexibility: Numerous HGV driving positions provide drivers with the opportunity to select from a variety of work schedules, including day shifts, night shifts, or routes that align with their preferences.
- Career Advancement: Drivers have the potential to advance to more lucrative positions, including instructor, fleet manager, or logistics manager at a later date.
- Training and Certification Support: Employers frequently provide drivers with assistance in obtaining or upgrading their HGV licenses (such as Class 1 or Class 2), with numerous companies providing paid training or assistance with certification costs.
- Opportunities for Travel: HGV vehicle drivers frequently have the opportunity to travel throughout Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, and occasionally Europe, which offers a diverse experience and the chance to discover new destinations.
- Employee Benefits: A multitude of employers provide supplementary benefits, including performance incentives, health insurance, paid holidays, and pension schemes.
- Self-Employment Opportunities: A significant number of HGV drivers elect to operate as independent contractors, which affords them the ability to manage their schedules and potential earnings.
- Immediate Entry: A degree is not typically necessary to become an HGV driver. Job seekers can rapidly enter the field with the appropriate training and license.
Northern Ireland Truck Driver Visa Scheme: Online Application form
The UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme was first started in 2021 and is now called the UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme. It was started by the Northern Ireland and UK government’s Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy to help fill the gap between the need for and supply of Truck drivers and Lorry drivers in the country’s food processing industry.
Under this plan, the government of the UK said that it would give out 10,500 3-month work permits. The exact criteria for who can join this program and what kind of visa they need have not yet been released. But the visas will likely be in the T5 Temporary Worker group.
How to apply For HGV Truck Driver Jobs in Northern Ireland?
If you wish to enroll, please visit the link provided.
Conclusion:
HGV truck driver positions in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland provide competitive salaries, job security, and a variety of employee benefits. The UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme has created a more efficient process for international candidates to address the current driver shortage. A stable career opportunity is provided by becoming an HGV driver, whether through skilled boot camps, apprenticeships, or vocational courses. Monitor government announcements for the most recent information regarding visa applications and employment prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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How much will HGV drivers in the UK earn in 2024?
A HGV driver’s estimated total pay is £35,273, with an average salary of £33,459 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges in our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £1,814 per year.
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Is there a demand for HGV drivers?
As of November 2024, there is still a driver shortage, although it’s not as critical as it was immediately after COVID-19. This indicates that there is a continued demand for HGV drivers, and remuneration has improved over the years due to high demand.
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In the UK, what is an HGV driver?
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers transport goods between locations. They transport items to suppliers and customers on a local, national, and international scale. As a truck driver, you’ll spend a lot of time on the road and may be away from home frequently.
