BBC Working Lunch

Ever fancied swapping your desk job for a life on the open road? There's never been a better time, because the UK is crying out for lorry drivers. There's a huge shortage that's likely to get worse when a new European directive comes in next year. It's making things difficult for hauliers but is good news for firms such as Driver Transport Training (DTT). As companies such as hauliers and supermarkets have cut back on in-house training schemes to save money, so DTT's business has grown Based on a former airfield near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, the firm has grown rapidly to 22 sites around the UK, with plans for another eight franchises this year. Drivers train for Large Goods Vehicle qualifications - Class 2 (Cat C) for rigid vehicles and Class 1 (Cat C+E) for articulated - which have replaced the old HGV licence. It takes about a week and costs £1,000 for each part. As well as actually learning to drive anything from a public service vehicle to a 40 tonne truck, trainees are also taught how to pack goods safely and securely and are trained in customer service - they can often be the public face of their employer, and there's classroom work too. Like many industries, haulage has a lot of legislation and red tape to contend with. Drivers learn about handling various hazardous substances, how tachographs work and how to use fuel efficiently.