HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship (A full guide to UK Skilled Worker Visa Jobs): In 2021 autumn, the UK introduced a scheme of 5,000 temporary short-term visas to tackle the shortage of HGV/ Truck drivers in the food and fuel sector. This scheme also introduced an HGV temporary concession allowing non-visa national HGV Truck drivers to seek permission at the border and work there. According to New York Times, The British government estimated a shortage of 100,000 drivers. Since the previous year, the UK government has removed the HGV Truck Driver occupation from the skilled work visa occupations list. Still, there are some businesses that are willing to sponsor foreign truck drivers or at least provide them with visa procurement assistance. Truck drivers get a handsome salary i.e. between £11 and £18 per hour along with many other additional benefits. In this post, we will have a look at whether the government will reopen the skilled workers route for HGV Truck Drivers or not, along with the job requirements, eligibility criteria, job benefits, average salary, and everything. Let’s read more in detail about HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship (A full guide to Truck Driver Jobs in UK with an online application link).
Job Overview of HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship (A full guide to Truck Driver Jobs in UK with online application link):
- Job title: Heavy Good Vehicles Truck Driver/ Truck Driver
- Job country: UK.
- Job Industry: Transport.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Experience Required: High
- Knowledge Required: Not High
- Age Limit: 18-onwards.
- Free Food: Mostly No.
- Free Accommodation: No.
- Free Medical Insurance: Mostly Yes.
- Free Transport: No.
- Visa Sponsorship: Yes/ No.
- Salary: between £11-18
Related: Farm Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship (All nationalities eligible)
What are education & experience requirements of HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship (A full guide to Truck Driver Jobs in UK with online application link):
- Applicant must be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Have a full car license.
- Get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
- Get a full driver CPC after undertaking 5 driving tests.
- Experience and knowledge about the local rules and driving a truck.
- No minimum education requirement by many employers. However, some may demand at least GCSES or any other equivalent.
- Candidate must speak fluent English. IELTS Band 6 is a must.
- Experience requirements differ from one employer to another. However, it could be anything from seven months to five years.
- You must meet all visa requirements to become a truck driver/ HGV Truck driver, in case government reopens the visa route.
Are HGV Truck Drivers still in shortage in UK?
According to the industry body the Road Haulage Association (RHA), a shortage of HGV drivers was already evident before the pandemic. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated and the shortage reached a crisis point in 2021. Brexit, Covid-19, and the Loss of Resident Workers due to aging and poor working conditions were another major contributor to HGV Truck Drivers’ shortage. However, UK government stepped forward, taking several initiatives and measures, thus recovering the national industry.
The government measures introduced are aimed at encouraging more drivers from the resident labour market into employment rather than making it easier for employers to recruit from overseas. For example, changes to the training and testing processes led to 74% more lorry tests being carried out between January and March 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to official statistics. Therefore, the industry doesn’t need to recruit foreign HGV Truck Drivers anymore.
Are HGV drivers eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
Currently, employers can’t sponsor foreign HGV Truck Drivers on Skilled Worker Visa route, as this occupation doesn’t appear on the Shortage Skills List anymore. Other related roles, like HGV Mechanics, HGV Driving Instructors, etc, qualify for the skilled worker visa.
Will a temporary visa scheme be introduced again this year?
Despite, the recent measures, it is possible that the government will again face a similar shortage soon due to the aging population, rising fuel costs, etc, as many representatives of the industry is pushing the government to add this occupation again to the shortage skill list.
Related: Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship (Apply online)
How can I get free HGV qualifications in UK?
To get trained as HGV Driver, you choose one of the following routes: (a) Skilled Boot camps (b) Apprenticeship (c) Vocational courses (d) Driving school courses. The easiest route is Skilled Boot Camp which is a free course lasting up to only 16 weeks. However, all these courses are available in the UK. So, your presence in UK (through any visa and stay route) is compulsory.
What Documents are needed for HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship?
When you apply you’ll need to provide:
- Your certificate of sponsorship reference number – your employer will give you this
- Proof of English Language Proficiency.
- A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
- Your job title and annual salary
- Your job’s occupation code
- The name of your employer and their sponsor license number – this will be on your certificate of sponsorship.
- PCC Certificate
- Health Record
- Proof to support yourself when you arrive in the UK – you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available
Who can apply for HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship?
Applicants from all nationalities like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Ghana, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ghana, Cameroon, Trinidad, Tobago, etc. You can be from any nationality.
What are the benefits of HGV Truck Driver Jobs in the UK?
- There is no high-end qualification demand.
- Attractive Salary Packages i.e. between £11 to £15 per hour.
- Full-Time contract with potential overtime.
- Many job opportunities are available as UK is in dire need of truck drivers.
- Additional employee benefits (varying from one employer to another) like free bus travel for the employee and his family, free uniforms, apprenticeship courses, Christmas courses, free parking, laundry service, etc.
- Some employers offer help in transport like bike-to-work schemes or subsidized bike programs.
- Paid annual holidays and breaks are an essential feature of UK Labour Law.
- Almost every employer gives you an annual salary review and an annual company bonus scheme.
What is the salary package for HGV Truck Drivers in UK?
HGV Drivers in the UK typically earn around £32,000 on average per year.
What is the national minimum salary for HGV Drivers in UK?
| Wage band | Current rate (from 1 April 2023) |
|---|---|
| Age 23 or over (National Living Wage) | £10.42 |
| Age 21 to 22 | £10.18 |
| Age 18 to 20 | £7.49 |
| Under 18 | £5.28 |
| Apprentice | £5.28 |
How to get valid HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship?
- Go to any accredit job search portal in UK like Indeed, LinkedIn, Reed, etc.
- Use the search bar to type and search for your desired job role.
- You can also use/ search yourself for the job by using the search box and the location box, to narrow down your job search results. Type your job title, e.g., “ HGV Truck Driver for foreigners/ with visa sponsorship”, “Truck Driver Jobs in the UK for Working Holiday Workers”, “Driver Jobs in the UK for foreigners with visa sponsorship”, “Driver Jobs Food Processing Industry UK for foreigners / Lorry Driver Jobs UK with visa sponsorship.
- Select your desired UK city in the location bar right beneath the search bar to narrow your search results and make them more precise.
- It’s better to update your CV or Resume and Cover letter according to the latest market trends as there is a high chance that your employer might notice the layout/ presentation.
- Examine the job posting details like job description, job requirements, job responsibilities, etc.
- Ensure you meet all requirements before you apply. Examine the job role and its requirements carefully.
- Click the “Online Application” button given below.
- Fill out the necessary details being asked and submit the application.
- Verify the reception of a confirmation email for your sent job application.
Related: Canadian Companies Offering Visa Sponsorship Jobs in 2023 (Complete Guide)
How to Apply for HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK with Visa Sponsorship?
Conclusion
Recently, the sponsor route is not open for HGV Truck Driver Jobs in UK, but there are strong chances that this route will be opened in the near future. You have to keep yourself abreast of all the necessary requirements, qualifications, and documentation to apply for the jobs when ready.
