Teenage Trucker - 06/11/2006

Gagging to be a lorry driver but feel your age is against you? Think again – and be inspired by the tale of 18-year-old HGV licence holder Stuart Morgan.

Stuart Morgan has passed his HGV test at just 18 – and has licences for forklifts, loading shovels and lorry-mounted cranes.

Teenage Trucker

His achievement is doubly impressive as serious health problems meant he finished school when he was only eight years old. But Stuart did have one advantage – his parents, Sandra and Jeff Morgan, run a haulage business and provided encouragement and the opportunity for Stuart to train on a Llanelli Rural Council Training scheme when he was 16.

Stuart is driving for his parents’ company, JMS Aggregate & Supplies, based at Tumble in South Wales, and his mother, Sandra, is justifiably proud of Stuart’s achievements.

‘When he was little and unable to go to school he took an interest in the business. We discovered the LRCT scheme. It’s about getting youngsters into training. That’s how Stuart got his forklift and Hiab licences,’ she says. Training is not solely for driving vehicles. Those on LRCT training can also take NVQs in other subjects and are closely supervised while training. Sandra and Jeff’s business is also providing opportunities for other youngsters as a result of Stuart’s experiences on the LRCT scheme. Three young men have been employed, all of whom started with the company on work-placement training.

Charles, a local lad, then unemployed, approached Sandra about a placement. She put him in touch with LRCT. He has now been with the firm for 18 months. He passed his HGV test while working for Sandra and, like Stuart, also drives for JMS. Likewise, Liam went on the scheme to do his forklift training and is now employed at Morgans.

‘It gives youngsters a chance and allows the employer to see if they are really interested and willing,’ says Sandra.

*For further information on training for those aged 16 to 21, contact:
The Skills for Logistics Helpdesk on 0870 242 7314,
e-mail info@skillsforlogistics.org
or go to www.skillsforlogistics.org

Reprinted from Truck & Driver NOVEMBER 2006

For further information please contact Glynis Zimmermann on 01554 774121 or E-mail to info@llanelli-rural.gov.uk.

<< Back to Headlines

Archived news headlines are listed below

26/06/2010: The Key to Dean’s Apprenticeship

31/01/2010: Driving to the future

21/05/2008: NVQ & Foundation modern apprenticeship awards presentation night at Veolia Cymru, Llantrit Fardre

24/09/2007: Darren Lodwick

23/08/2007: Diane Atkinson

01/04/2007: Successful Candidates receive Certificates

13/02/2007: Young Drivers in Farming

08/11/2006: Kath Howells - Success Story

08/11/2006: Caroline, Louise and Diane – 3 Achievers In Business Administration

07/11/2006: Steve Marsh – from Training Operator to Instructors’ Trainer.

06/11/2006: Teenage Trucker

Website by NetBop Technologies