Shipley Transport News

Success at Peterborough Truck Show

noreply@blogger.com (Shipley Transport) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:48:00 +0000

Shipley Transport Services are proud to announce that they have been awarded "The Highly Commended" accolade at the Peterborough Truckfest which took place on 4th & 5th May 2008. There was approximately 1500 vehicles at the biggest and most officially recognized Truckshow in the United Kingdom.

Shipley Transport Services were entered in the show under the "Best Small Fleet" category and were within the winning Top 10 companies!

Shipley Transport Services Managing Director, David Clarke, has applauded all employees involved with the contest "we have been working towards this standard for some time now and it is excellent that we have achieved recognition after everybodys hard work"

Starting a new life down under

noreply@blogger.com (Shipley Transport) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:46:00 +0000

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 385,000 left the country for long-term migration in the year July 2006, the highest figure since current counting methods were introduced in 1991.

So why are so many deciding to leave?

Well, Australia offers a relaxed lifestyle. Sydney and Melbourne offer a fast cosmopolitan lifestyle comparable to Manchester or London. Regional cities and country towns offer a very relaxed quiet lifestyle. Australia and New Zealand offer great contrasts in landscapes any immigrant will be amazed with what can be seen and experienced.

The quality of life in Australia is excellent. Medical treatment is of the highest standard in the world. Labour conditions are good and tradesmen and enjoying high salaries.

Australia is currently suffering from shortage of trades people despite a boom in resources, thus creating a need for people to come across from overseas.

A number of projects in outback Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia are seriously short staffed. The salaries paid are high and conditions are good for those workers wishing to undertake such projects. The Australian government has introduced a number of incentives to encourage skilled tradespeople and professional into Australia, for example, tradesmen wanting to work on large projects are fast tracked into residency.

The immigration process is complex and using a legal professional will fast track an application through the complex process of obtaining a residency visa. Dealing with the department can be difficult and frustrating. Preparing residency documentation quickly and completely will minimise delays. An applicant must score points based on a number of factors such as age, ability to speak English, qualifications and work experience. If the applicant obtains sufficient points and achieves the pass mark a residency visa is issued. A skilfully prepared application by a professional will ensure the applicant achieves maximum points and is able to obtain a visa.

All applicants must undertake a positive skills assessment. This means qualifications and work experience are comparable to the Australian equivalent. A registered legal migration agent will ensure all the criteria are satisfied so that the outcome will be positive. The key to positive skills assessment is experience in the presentation. An understanding of what documents are required and how to prepare the application is crucial.

After the applicant obtains a positive skill assessment the migration application is lodged. Again, lodging a complete and correct application is paramount. Experience in lodging and preparing such applications is crucial and will save time and fast track the issue of a visa.

So, with options in abundance it is clear to see why people are taking the chance to start a new life in Australia.

Life on the road

noreply@blogger.com (Shipley Transport) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:45:00 +0000

(As featured in trucking magazine)

Alex Davidson had also been busy getting his trailer loaded for Monday when we called. Bound for London - and for an area that Alex confessed to being just a little bit dodgy - he mentions a well-known haulier based in that part of the capital that, apparently, passes on any local deliveries to others prepared to risk the outcome!

Alex is 48, married, lives in Leeds and has spent the last for years driving for Shipley Transport, a company that, like many, has relocated from its original base - in this case to premises in Bradford.

He drives a DAF 95 Super Space-cabbed tractor unit, and while the climb up into the huge cab might be daunting for Alex, he’s also a mountain climber with some equally prestigious ascents to his credit."Mont Blanc is probably the most famous one I have climbed," he says, "along with most of the well known UK ones like Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike. I don’t do as much climbing now as I would like to though, mainly because of this job."

Hoots Mon

Alex is proud of his Scottish roots and has various Scots items adorning the DAF cab, including tartan curtains, aBraveheart plaque on the front, and ‘Alba’ on the rear (which is the Gaelic word for ‘Scotland’). Huggy Bear also gets a mention on the passenger door. "He’s a cuddly toy bear and travels everywhere with me, a sort of luck mascot," Alex explains.

Listening to the radio is one of Alex’s ways of relaxing and enjoying a days drive. "I listen to Radio 2 constantly and the traffic reports are often useful. I have a CB radio fitted as well, but I don’t use it an awful lot. It comes in handy if I see someone I know on the road, or to find out why I have come to a sudden halt."

The job he refers to involves working away most weeks, delivering a wide variety of customer products around the UK in a curtain sided trailer, but he thoroughly enjoys it. "I have only been driving big trucks for around six years in total and probably had more leisure time before that, but I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t enjoy it" he tells us. "You’d give up straightaway otherwise. Occasionally I think to myself, why on earth am I doing this? Sure the traffic is bad, but you just have to be relaxed about it and chill out. Look at it this way: while you’re sat in traffic at least you are getting paid."

Cleaning his 2004 registered DAF is a regular labour of love too, as Alex always likes to keep his motor looking good."Sharon, my wife, will quite often come down to the yard to help," he admits. "She usually does the inside of the cab for me. I suppose being a truck driver isn’t much of a job as a way of life, and it’s nice if you can involve your family in some way".

Alex describes driver loyalties to a particular truck as a very subjective thing and he says a DAF, especially a 95/105 model would be his wagon of choice even though he has driven most manufactures trucks during his career. "There is just so much room and storage space in this cab. It’s a perfect workplace and ideal for a week away from home."