I heard about Veterans into Logistics so arranged to meet Darren over a coffee to discuss, I had my Class 1 licence just needed to complete my CPC course to become qualified again.

The biggest concern I had was a lack of commercial experience and confidence about getting behind the wheel with no experience and often overlooked due to this.

Veterans into Logistics, put all my concerns to the side, Darren provided me much needed advice and took me out driving in their HGV truck to raise my confidence, he also arranged driving assessment and opportunities at local haulage companies that fully understood provided my position and willing to help.

Today I’m driving for Eddie Stobart and after three weeks I couldn’t be more grateful for the support Veterans into Logistics have provided me, Darren, who is still in contact providing support and options for the future.

I intend to support Veterans into Logistics in the future and would say to any veterans give them a call if you’re considering the transport industry and struggling."

Darren took the time to chat with Veterans and to answer questions when necessary. I have found that Darren gives frank and honest help, which is what is needed when working with Veterans and Offenders.

I have found working with Darren a real breath of fresh air as he is so easy to relate to making referring Veterans a pleasure."

I’ve had my Class 1 since 1998, but not used it for many years. Having seen some of the testimonies from other veterans on Veterans into Logistics, I decided to drop Darren a message.

Darren couldn't have been more helpful, he put me in contact with an online training provider to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC Periodic training and with Muller Milk and Ingredients for a potential job.

The process took just a few weeks - Muller Milk were happy to get me up to speed with some familiarisation training and I have been on the job since the start of October.

I cannot thank Veterans into Logistics enough, for their help in getting me back into work.

His willingness and motivation to help veterans is something that is quite remarkable. Darren goes out of his way every day to get things done and to make sure that whoever he is helping is on the right path.

I highly recommend Darren amongst the Armed Forces veterans’ community. His ability to help other veterans and what he sets out to do is brilliant. A great guy and a good friend, I simply cannot thank him enough for all the help"

Upon leaving the military I found employment in local timber a year before becoming a security guard. Whilst in the military I gained my HGV licence but was never able to get an HGV driving job due to not having a Driver CPC card.

I completed 35 hours of Driver CPC Periodic training only to find out I’d wasted money.

It was only when I got in touch with Veterans into Logistics I found out because I am ex-military, I needed to pass Initial Driver CPC (Module 2 & 4) to qualify for a Driver CPC card.

Veterans into Logistics booked my Driver CPC Module 2 & 4 tests and provided the training enabling me to pass first time."

I’ve had numerous jobs since but none I enjoyed as much as driving. I approached many haulage firms but was knocked back on many occasions despite there being a national shortage of Class 1 drivers. I’ve held my Class 1 licence since 1996 with many years of experience through the armed forces and agency driving in time off.

Most recently I was knocked back by one of the largest haulage firms in the country and I was told it was because my Driver CPC card was out of date.

I took to social media to have a whinge on a forces page where Darren Wright from Veterans into Logistics contacted me. We had a good chat and he offered to put me through my Driver CPC Periodic training straight away. I took a week off work and completed the training, so I was current again.

But Darren’s help didn’t stop there.
I applied for a few jobs and got interviews through Darren’s connections in some haulage firms. I was very apprehensive after being knocked back before, especially with my disability. Darren encouraged me and gave me some great advice to help in the interviews.

I have now secured an HGV Class 1 driving position with a leading firm after a successful interview and driving assessment. I cannot thank Darren and Veterans into Logistics enough not only for putting me through my Driver CPC training but for their support and encouragement in finding driver employment.

A truly fantastic charity, keep up the good work!"

I went to meet Darren and discuss my options on the 24th of August 21. Today, just over 2 weeks later I had a meeting with an employer and have been invited to a driving assessment on Monday.

In less than 3 weeks with the support of Veterans into Logistics, I have completed my Initial Driver CPC (Module 2 & 4) and met with a company offering to take me on and guide me into the industry. I am excited to finally be able to use the licence that I’ve had for 10 years, especially after a difficult year.

This opportunity is amazing, and I am now looking forward to starting work, and I know that Veterans into Logistics are always there to help me if I need them or to help others who are in a situation like mine and want to get back into work.”

For the past few years, I have been suffering from depression which led to me losing my self-esteem resulting in being unemployed for a long time. It was when I was at my lowest point that I went to Wigan Armed Forces HQ to see fellow veteran Andy Powell for support, it was during our conversation about how I can get self-esteem back into my life, I explained I always wanted to be an HGV Class 1 driver like my brother.

Andy informed me of Veterans into Logistics an organisation based in Manchester that supports ex-military personnel gain their HGV licence and back into employment. I contacted Veterans into Logistics and spoke with Darren Wright also a fellow veteran himself, Darren invited me down to their office to meet himself and the team and we discussed what needed to be done to obtain my HGV licence.

Firstly, I was put on a Driver CPC Periodic training course for five days with fellow veterans which I really enjoyed because I was able to have a laugh with light-hearted banter with fellow veterans. It was after completing this course that I started to feel better within myself and started looking forward to life knowing I was one step closer to getting my HGV Class 1 licence.

Not only have I passed my HGV Class 1 driving test with Veterans into Logistics, but they arranged a job interview with Asda where I was offered full-time employment. I can honestly say that Veterans into Logistics have put a glow back in my life and my family’s fate, so from myself and my family I would like to thank Darren and the Veterans into Logistics team for their time and effort in giving me the confidence to become an HGV Class 1 driver.

From my heart, thank you! Keep the work up as it’s outstanding what you are doing, making people believe they can achieve. Top team!