PETITE GIRL, BIG TRUCK: Heidi Rushmer happy at the wheel of her truck and (inset) dreaming of the day she can get her hands on one of her family firm’s multi-wheeled monsters.

TRUCK DRIVER

10-4: Heidi’s at the wheel

Sitting up high in the cab of a lorry, Heidi Rushmer, from Framingham Pigott, always knew she wanted to drive HGVs like her dad.

She loved being out on the road for long stretches and meeting all the other drivers whenever the lorry made a stop.

“I left school early because I had health problems and then I had a home tutor,” she explained. “If I had any spare time, I would go out with my dad while he worked.

“At that time he had a contract in Ipswich so I used to go down there with him a lot.”

Heidi also used to visit truck festivals with her family.

“They knew a lot of people in the job and it became very much a way of life,” she said.

When she was 16, Heidi decided to find out more about training to be an HGV driver herself, assuming she would have to wait a couple of years before she could actually begin.

“I was very surprised when I found out there was this Young Drivers Scheme I could do through Norfolk Training Services (NTS),” she said.
“The qualification was an NVQ in Driving Large Goods Vehicles – I got back to them the next day.”

As Heidi had not taken GCSEs, she studied Basic Skills with NTS as well.
“They were very helpful and supportive,” she said. “I did my HGV Licence theory test as well through them - and I passed.”

Heidi has now finished her NVQ in Rigid Truck Driving and is preparing to take her practical Rigid Truck Driving Test.

“That will allow me to drive the smaller seven and a half tonne vehicles,” she said. “I will have to wait until I’m over 25 to drive the larger ones.”
Heidi said she has had a lot of support from her trainers, her family and other drivers out on the road.

Annette Belson, senior contracts manager at NTS, said: “Heidi has been so committed and we are very pleased with the way she has settled into it.

“Because of her family background this was something she was very keen to do and we are very proud of all she has achieved.”

Heidi herself said she is thoroughly enjoying the course.

“It has been tremendous. I can honestly say I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity. The staff at NTS are helping me to look for a job already,” she said.

“So far, I have not had any unpleasant comments about the fact I’m a girl. Once I get out on the road, I know it won’t always be easy - but I’m prepared for it.

“I know the job because I have experienced it – and now I can’t wait to get started.”