Working in the Partnership as a HGV Driver

Hi I’m Julia. I have wanted to pursue a career in lorry driving for quite some time. After training with the Partnership in HGV driving, I am living my dream and have even won awards along the way!

Julia Jones, Partner & HGV Lorry Driver

I spent so many years wanting to become a lorry driver, but life always got in the way for one reason or another. A lot of people might be concerned about changing their careers so later in life, but now, here I am, 51-years-old, in a new career and loving every second of it, I feel unstoppable. I was even a finalist for Microlise Driver of the Year 2022 and won the regional Apprentice of the year 2022!

“If you have a dream job that you want to pursue, just go for it!”

Most people think that being out on the road for long hours must be quite lonely, but it isn’t for me – I actually find it quite fun. I love listening to the radio and having a little sing-a-long on the road – it makes the time fly and always puts a smile on my face.

As a Partner at John Lewis Partnership you also receive benefits such as a discount at John Lewis and Waitrose, discounts at restaurants and access to partnership hotels.

“While retirement is some way off (I love my job too much!), John Lewis Partnership has a good pension scheme in place which will help to set me up when the time comes.”

There are lots of careers I’d love to see more women involved in. People are often shocked when I tell them I’m a lorry driver – you don’t see many women driving HGVs, but I think that makes the career all the more special.

I‘d say to other women, if you have a dream job that you want to pursue, just go for it. There’s so much support out there these days to help you achieve your career goals, including lots of government-funded opportunities, like those available through Skills for Life.

At the John Lewis Partnership, we want every one of our Partners (employees) to find their happier way of working, like Julia. Find out more about driving careers at Waitrose & Partners or John Lewis and the incredible benefits of being a Partner in the Partnership by exploring our careers website JLPjobs.com.