Newly qualified HGV driver Anthony Callaghan has said a big thank-you to Telford College for helping him to retrain for a new career.
Anthony, from Pelsall, left the catering and hospitality sector for medical reasons, and set his sights on a new role in the HGV industry.
- Find your dream A levels here
- Apply to start in September
- Reserve your place for our next Open Event
And now, after what he describes as ‘a whirlwind six months’, he has passed his class two driving test.
Anthony initially sought an appointment with the job centre to ask about retraining as a driver, but said he made very little progress.
“Unless I could self-fund they said there was no way of me getting any help in my desired career change, as because my wife works I effectively did not need to find work.
“I am someone who has worked since I left school and found this very frustrating as I believe many other people who may have lost their job in the pandemic may have struggled to get any assistance – because the computer would not allow them to.”
Anthony eventually sought the help of Telford College which gave him an initial three weeks of HGV driver training, supported by employability lecturer Malcolm Palmer.
“Through the amazing help from the team at PR Training Limited, I have now passed my class two driving test,” he said. “If I wasn’t for this, I would be no closer to my career change, and definitely not able to continue to support my family.”
Anthony is not the only newly qualified HGV driver thanking Telford College for its role in helping to engineer a career change.
Mick Thompkins wanted his HGV class two certificate so he could transfer his Pakistani, home-cooked street food business, The Curry Stall, from a 6m x 3m gazebo into a large truck instead.
His family-run business, based in Oswestry, specialises in serving up curries at festivals, street food markets, food fairs and private functions.
“It is going to be a massive benefit to me and I am very grateful to have had the chance to complete the course,” he said.
As a parting gift to his fellow students, Martin cooked them all a curry in Telford College’s Orange Tree kitchens with a helping hand from tutor Martin French.
- Find your dream A levels here
- Apply to start in September
- Reserve your place for our next Open Event
Telford College is holding an open event on Saturday March 19, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, showcasing more of its adult education and apprenticeship opportunities. For more details, click .
