HGV Training brokers are not HGV training companies.
They are sales and marketing companies who (via their websites) give visitors and callers the overwhelming impression that they are national HGV training companies who have thousands of driving jobs.
Their websites make claims of having training centres (25, 30 or 40+) around the UK and that they only employ/use DSA qualified instructors.
In reality they have no training centres. They employ no instructors and the jobs they advertise are in most part just taken from other recruitment agency websites. Brokers are simply facilitators who arrange training for you.
Signing up with a broker will mean you have no control as to where you train, when you train or with whom you train.
Here are our 5 tips on how to avoid signing up with a broker.
1. Visit the training company.
If a company claims to have numerous training locations around the UK, and in particular in your area, then go and visit them. Any reputable training company would gladly welcome (in fact encourage) your visit.
Your visit can confirm that the company is genuine, will help you reach you goals and meet your aspirations. If a company makes excuses (for whatever reason) then alarm bells should start ringing.
2. Do not part with any money over the phone.
Flashy websites and a determined salesman can give a false sense of trust and confidence. You may feel like giving your credit card details over the phone after just 10 minutes but do not be fooled. Seeing is believing. Go back to step 1 and visit the company before you part with a single penny.
3. If it sounds too good to be true, it normally is.
In these times of austerity and high prices, never has a truer word been spoken. Please remember brokers employ sales people who are commission driven and whose sole purpose is to get your credit card details. They will tell you whatever you want to hear to get those magic numbers. “80,000 driver shortage, pass in just 5 days, earn £30,000 +, sign up today and save ££££££’s.” Go back to step 1.
4. The hybrid broker.
A relatively new phenomenon in the commercial transport training industry. Brokers are getting wiser as people looking for HGV training are getting more savvy.
Some brokers have purchased 1 or 2 training vehicles (pictures taken and posted on their websites) to give the impression that they are a bona fide training company. This gives the visitor the impression they have their own vehicles at the 40 or so training centres they (apparently) own all over the UK. Our advice is simple. Go back to step 1 and visit the local centre and see the vehicles.
5. Go direct.
If you’re serious about a career as an HGV driver then going direct to real experts in your area will save you time, money and frankly a lot of hassle.
When you consider the overwhelming majority of HGV training in the UK is delivered by local independent established training providers, it make sense to go direct rather than chancing it with a broker.
Using our website gives you free, unrestricted access to some of the best independents this industry has to offer.
We don’t list brokers or middlemen.
Established local training providers will give you honest advice and guide you through the whole LGV licence process.
It pays to look around and do some research before you part with your hard earned money.
Undergoing HGV training is a serious business. Just by taking the steps above, you will help ensure you get it right first time.
Please, please, please check around before you buy….
[...] to our RSS feed to be kept updated on our with our latest news.The last piece of HGV LGV network member Ritchies’ road haulage training jigsaw was put in place in December with the creation of an [...]
[...] up and parting with your hard earned money to a broker can be costly and time consuming experience. Don’t just take our word for it. Watch the BBC video [...]