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It’s been a long road for Sophie Marshall.
After years of putting it off, the 27-year-old finally took the first big step towards her dream job, only to watch it get pulled further and further away from her…
Last year, Sophie completed the theory part of her HGV licence and had the practical booked for February 2021, but she was left gutted when lockdown forced it back to May… then again to June.
With everything up in the air, it looked like Sophie was never going to get to climb into the cab of a lorry, until finally, she got the good news.
“Everyone told me it’s unlikely I’d pass first time, so I was a bit nervous,” Sophie said of her final exam. “But I did it! I passed!
“When I finally got my licence, I burst into tears!”
Sophie – who worked in the cleaning industry before she joined SunSkips – has always been “fascinated” with machinery and big vehicles.
“I’ve wanted to be a lorry driver ever since I was little,” revealed the newly qualified driver from Sutton, “But I was never in the right frame of mind to do it.
“Then one day, I just decided to go for it! I started saving for the test and thought, ‘I’m actually going to do this. I’m going to apply for my dream job!’”
‘I love this!’
Now fully qualified, Sophie couldn’t be happier rolling around Suffolk and Cambridgeshire in one of SunSkips’ new DAF lorries.
“It’s just so big! A lot of male drivers have said they feel like they’re the ‘king of the road’. Well, I’m the queen of the road!”
Sophie says she doesn’t even mind being stuck in traffic, as one Felixstowe skip hire delivery reminded her that she gets to look out over all the other vehicles from her lofty cab.
“I love being high up,” beams Sophie. “You can see a lot more of the world. The other week, I went over the bridge to Felixstowe in the lorry for the first time. I thought, ‘I love this!’”
Sophie’s passion for lorries even found its way to the top of her birthday cake when her partner surprised her with a SunSkips-themed treat, complete with Kinder chocolate “waste” in the skip!
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Despite having such a great time in her new role, Sophie has had to put up with the odd ignorant comment, but it only ends in embarrassment for the person speaking out of turn.
“One customer wanted to know why I was in a ‘man’s job’,” explained Sophie. “I told him it’s because women’s jobs are boring, but he still insisted on helping me lift the safety pads and unhook the chains on my lorry.
“The funny thing was, he couldn’t manage either! I just politely did it for him and was on my way. I’m perfectly capable of doing every part of my job and I absolutely love it!”
‘Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not capable’
SunSkips managing director Mat Stewart is “over the moon” with how quickly Sophie has settled in and is keen to get more drivers like her on board.
He said, “We’re getting loads of compliments about Sophie from customers. She’s polite, helpful and always turns up with a smile on her face.
“Sophie is a perfect example of the kind of driver we want to hire at SunSkips, so if you think you might fit the bill, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your CV!”
Sophie added, “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not capable. If you want to be a lorry driver, just do it! You won’t regret it.”
Feel like you’ve got what it takes to become a driver like Sophie? Send your CV and cover letter to admin@sunskips.co.uk. SunSkips drivers earn between £25k and £33.5k and get access to the new fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles.
