Lucas McGregor is chuffed to be driving a truck. The 18-year-old has joined Conroy Removals, based in Christchurch. He says the role has always been his ambition.
“I’ve always been around trucks. They’ve been in the family since I was born – most of them drive. I went to the careers people [at Rolleston College] and said that’s what I wanted to do.
Lucas says there are many pluses.
“You get to tour the whole country and get paid to look at views all day.”
Lucas has his Class 2 and does linehaul. He is training for his class 4 and 5, doing backing and loading up the trailer.
Sydney Sangster, who just turned 22, has also joined Conroys. For her, truck driving is also in the blood.
“My dad used to drive trucks. I like driving and wanted to get into the industry.”
Sydney has her class 2 licence as well as her class 4 and 5L. She says there are various options she might like to look at it in the future, including linehaul and mining.
Conroy Group South Island Operations Manager, Mark Carter, says it is important for the freight industry to encourage more young people to join.
“My belief is if we could get four to five a year, we are progressing the future. We can’t do it without the people we’ve got for training. It’s about our people [like senior driver Craig Aitchison] helping.”
He says if young people want to move on later, they will help them find somewhere where they will be looked after.
“Give them the time. Give them a good grounding, they will come back.”
There are more photos in the Transporting News magazine here.
