The United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) initiated the issuance of 5,000 temporary short-term visas in the autumn to address the shortage of HGV and truck drivers in the food and fuel industries. This plan also includes a temporary HGV concession that enables HGV truck drivers from countries where they are not required to obtain a visa to request clearance at the border and operate there. According to the New York Times, the United Kingdom government believed that there was a shortage of 100,000 chauffeurs.
The position of HGV Truck Driver has been removed from the list of skilled work visa occupations by the UK or Northern Ireland government since last year. However, there are still organizations that are prepared to sponsor foreign truck drivers or, at the very least, assist them in obtaining visas. Truck drivers are compensated at a rate of €11 to €18 per hour, in addition to receiving numerous additional benefits.
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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 for HGV Truck Driver Jobs:
- Individuals who wish to apply must be 18, or older.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- If you aspire to drive professionally, you must obtain a certificate known as the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
- A complete driver’s license can be obtained by passing five driving tests.
- Proficient in the operation of a vehicle and familiar with the regulations of the region.
- Numerous employers do not mandate a minimum level of education. However, some individuals may desire at least a GCSE or an equivalent qualification.
- Strong proficiency in the English language is required of the candidate. IELTS is required to obtain a skilled migrant visa if your employer does not sponsor you.
- The minimum amount of experience required by various employers varies. However, the duration could range from seven months to five years.
- To qualify as a truck driver or HGV truck driver, it is necessary to satisfy all visa requirements.
How can I become a HGV Truck Driver Jobs in Northern Ireland?
You have the option of selecting one of the following methods to become an HGV driver: (a) Skilled boot camps (b) apprenticeships (c) vocational courses (d) driving school courses. The optimal approach is to enroll in Skilled Boot Camp, a complementary study program that can extend for up to 16 weeks. However, it is possible to enroll in each of these courses in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Therefore, you must be in the United Kingdom through any visa-and-stay pathway.
Benefits of HGV Truck Driver Jobs:
- Compensatory Competitiveness: HGV vehicle drivers, particularly those who possess specialized skills or extensive experience, frequently earn competitive salaries.
- Maintaining Job Stability: The consistent demand for transporting products ensures that HGV truck drivers have employment stability.
- A Range of Routes: Automobilists might be allowed to visit various destinations, traverse a multitude of roads, and encounter a variety of topographies.
- The Concept of Independence: Truck driving can provide a degree of autonomy, given that operators are frequently traversing the road without constant oversight.
- Adaptable Timetable: Although the schedule may be rigorous, certain truck driving jobs provide some leeway concerning vacation days and work schedules.
- Benefits Provisions: Numerous businesses offer their truck drivers comprehensive benefits packages, which may consist of health insurance, retirement plans, and additional advantages.
- Travel Possibilities: Whether by way of their routes, HGV vehicle drivers may be allowed to traverse various states, cities, or even countries.
- Skills in demand: Due to the intensive reliance of the transportation sector on truck drivers, individuals possessing the requisite expertise and credentials are frequently sought after.
- Employment Opportunities: The transportation of products guarantees an ongoing need for truck drivers, thereby generating a diverse range of employment prospects within the sector.
- Stable Sector: The transportation sector is crucial to the economy, and its stability improves the dependability of truck driving employment.
- Employment Opportunities for Training: Certain organizations offer training programs to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as HGV truck drivers, thereby ensuring that those with the necessary aptitude can enter the field.
- Opportunities for Progression: Opportunities for career advancement may be available to seasoned truck drivers, including assuming supervisory responsibilities or specializing in particular categories of cargo.
Northern Ireland Truck Driver Visa Scheme: Online Application:
The UK Truck Driver Visa Scheme 2024, which was initiated in 2021, was renewed in 2024. The Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy of the Northern Ireland and UK governments initiated it to address the disparity between the demand for and supply of truck and lorry drivers in the food processing sector of the respective countries.
The United Kingdom government announced that it would issue 10,500 three-month work permits under this initiative. The precise criteria for eligibility and the type of visa required for participation in this program have not yet been disclosed. Nevertheless, the visas will probably be issued to individuals in the T5 Temporary Worker category.
How to Apply For HGV Truck Driver Jobs in Northern Ireland?
- The official employment search site can be accessed by clicking on the link below. To submit your application, click on the “Apply” icon located beneath the job description.
- Additionally, you may employ the search field and the area box to refine the results of your job search on your own. Please provide the title of your position, such as “HGV Truck Driver for foreigners/with visa sponsorship,” “Truck Driver Jobs in Ireland/UK for Working Holiday Workers,” “Driver Jobs in Northern Ireland/UK for foreigners with visa sponsorship,” or “Driver Jobs Food Processing Industry Ireland/UK for foreigners/Lorry Driver Jobs UK with visa sponsorship.”
- To refine your search results and enhance their precision, select the desired Irish city from the location bar located directly below the search bar.
- It is advisable to maintain the most recent market trends in your CV, resume, and cover letter, as your employer is likely to observe how they are organized and presented.
- Please review the job posting’s specifics, including the work description, duties, and requirements.
- Ensure that you satisfy all of the prerequisites before submitting your application. Conduct a thorough examination of the job component and the necessary qualifications.
- Select the “Online Application” icon located beneath this text.
- Submit the requested information and submit your application.
- Verify whether you received a confirmation email for the job application you submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Is there a shortage of HGV drivers in Northern Ireland?
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) estimates that the sector in Northern Ireland needs thousands of people. Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) transport just about everything around the country. A combination of factors, including COVID-19 and Brexit, means there are not enough drivers to meet the current levels of demand.
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In Ireland, does truck driving pay well?Â
The average truck driver salary in Ireland is €32,448 per year or €16.64 per hour. Entry-level positions start at €29,250 per year, while most experienced workers make up to €41,500 per year.
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What’s the problem with HGV drivers?
The primary factors contributing to the driver shortage include long and irregular working hours, challenging working conditions (e.g., services), and concerns about job satisfaction.
