Levente and Marian passed their HGV Bootcamp Training!

Updated: 23 February, 2024

Updated: 23 February, 2024

A huge congratulations goes to Levente Deak and Marian-Vasile Nastase, who have both successfully completed their HGV Skills Bootcamp Training to gain a HGV Class 2 licence.

Both Levente and Marian will celebrate their achievements at the FWD Star Awards, held at the Houses of Parliament in April.

Listen to each of their stories below.

Levente Deak

After joining the team in Enfield back in 2016, Levente started out driving one of our 3.5-ton vans, before earning himself a promotion to Delivery Administrator. However, Levente's passion has always been driving a truck, which led him to join the Bootcamp Training Academy and work towards obtaining his HGV licence.

In just four months, Levente progressed through all stages of the programme, passing his exam first time in December 2022.

"I had a lovely trainer, who was previously a DVSA instructor for nine years, so he knew everything inside out which helped me a lot."

"For me, I love driving, and now with the lorry I love it even more. It's more work but I really like it. I find that once you get used to the size of the bigger vehicle, it's practically the same - they are really easy to drive.

In the beginning, I never saw myself driving a HGV, but now, I don't know why I waited this long. I would definitely recommend it to any of my colleagues. Whoever loves driving, just go for it!"

Anyone that knows Levente knows of his outstanding manners, hard work and dedication to the job, along with being a great team player, a hard-working individual and a brilliant role model to his colleagues. His outstanding customer service skills have helped JJ's to maintain it's reputation for delivering a gold standard service.

Marian-Vasile Nastase

Marian's JJ journey began back in 2020, as a Delivery Administrator in our Sidcup branch. Keen to develop his skills and build on his career, Marian joined the Bootcamp Training Academy to become a HGV driver.

"I found the training quite easy, even though it was five hours per day with lots of driving. The support from my manager has been amazing, and he allowed me to work night shifts so I could practice moving the lorries and parking them. This helped my confidence to grow, as I had to actually park the vehicle during my exam. Now I can reverse better than most people because I had so much practice!"

Despite only being with the business for three years, at the prime age of 21, Marian has progressed quickly, because of his hard work and investment of time and effort to develop both his skills and career at JJ's.

He is now the youngest member of JJ's to hold a HGV Class 2 licence, and said, "I feel amazing, ecstatic, since passing my exam. I can't wait to get out on the road more. I'm definitely more confident in the city than on the highways at the moment, but that will change with time."

"I didn't expect myself to do that well in the first lesson, we went out on the roads and highways, and I said to myself, 'how am I even doing this when I only got my driving licence a year ago.' I was so happy I was given this opportunity, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about going for it.

For me, this is life changing. I started as a helper, so I know the job like the back of my hand, and now, having worked my way up to become a driver, for me is amazing. I know the routes, I know how to make the job as safe as possible and be efficient with my time - I'm really going to be happy."

Marian is a fantastic role model to his colleagues and is one of the many drivers that are the face of our business, delivering a gold standard service every day.

A huge well done on your achievements and success, Levente and Marian!