Richard has worked at the Tata Steel plant in Trostre, Llanelli for fifteen years. He is currently employed as a team member in the production operations and his duties include operating an overhead crane and driving a pick up on site.

Being considered for redundancy by Tata Steel, Richard applied for re-skilling training as an LGV driver through Cardiff and Vale College.
Although Richard prefers a ‘hands-on’ method of training he found the online LGV theory test training easy to pick up and convenient for him to log on and learn between shifts. He passed his LGV theory test first time on 31st January 2025.

In his normal duties at Trostre, Richard also loads vehicles with the finished products of steel coil and plate so has some familiarity with large goods vehicles. He undertook the practical element of his training at Crosshands Training, near Cwmgwili, and again found the training suited his learning style. He passed his practical test first time to gain an LGV Cat C+E licence on 12th March 2025.

Pictured here is Richard along with the vehicle he learnt on.

Richard is now qualified to drive an articulated or drawbar vehicle up to the maximum gross train weight of 44 tonnes. He has the possible option of working for his uncle at M&R Commercials of Swansea but has also made enquiries regarding other possible employers for LGV drivers in South Wales.

Richard looks forward to this possible career change and the opportunity to visit different parts of the UK.