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!

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!

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.

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.

At the John Lewis Partnership, we want all of our Partners (employees) to find happier ways 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 the rest of our careers website.