LGV Instructor: Carol Carter

How long have you been working in your current role?

I’ve been an LGV instructor since 1996

Which company do you work for and what do they do?

I run my own motoring school providing instruction on all types of driving, from cars through to LGVs. I previously worked as a trainer manager for E.D Training. The company is a road haulage company and also has a training body. At the moment three people work in the training company. We started up in November last year and we’re getting bigger and stronger all the time.

What does your job involve in a typical day?

When a person comes to us, we assess them and then programme the course according to their needs. Each student is different and needs a programme suited to him/her. As I’m in charge of the training centre, my work involves all sorts of things such as going out on the road and teaching, running the school, recruiting students, doing the assessments and working out training programmes… Most people need between five and seven days to be trained. We get people of all sorts of abilities, ages and train both men and women. The most important thing to teach is safety and awareness. I’ve got a 60-70% pass rate but the national average isn’t so high…

How did you get into your current job, and what were you doing before?

I was a driving instructor for 20 years prior to becoming an LGV instructor. I moved over to LGV training in the 1980s when the recession started to hit. My husband was an LGV driver and he said that I should learn to drive a lorry. At first I thought he was being silly, but I did the course, passed the licence and then got work easily.

What qualifications did you need for the job?

LGV, Registered DSA Instructor and Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED).

What do you like most about your job?

I love working with people. It’s great to meet new people the whole time - without them, it wouldn't be such fun.

What is your advice to people looking for a job in logistics?

Whether you're learning to drive an LGV, or want to become a trainer - choose your instructor carefully - not everyone can instruct well!

What do you see as your next step?

Continuing to develop the success of my motoring school.