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Sep 19 2024

It’s nice to be useful: Driver tales from Norway

Norwegian road transport association NLF has been interviewing young professional drivers to better understand their career choices and aspirations. Here is the story of Emilie Høydal.

IRU member Norges Lastebileier-Forbund (NLF) has been speaking with heavy-duty vehicle drivers under the age of thirty to better understand their career choices, what they think about the future of transport, particularly as drivers, and whether they have any tips for others considering this profession.

 

Her story

Emilie Høydal did not have a typical start to her career in transport.

She first studied media and communications in high school. But after two years, she learned that it was not for her. So she dropped out and worked at a gas station for a while. She eventually decided to go back to high school to study technological and industrial production. This is where the magic happened.

 

Variety and challenge

While working with a salvage car transport operator, she realised that she really enjoyed being in a truck. So the following year, she completed her transport and logistics courses.

Emilie drove a dump truck for a short period of time but wanted more variety and challenge. She then landed an interview at Anlegg og Entreprenørservice AS (AOES), and here it “clicked” between Emilie and the employer.

During the interview, she was asked, “Are you ready to be challenged?" She smiled back and said, “Yes!”

 

Steep learning curve

 

Driving a plow truck is not easy, admitted Emilie.

“I had four days with an experienced driver, and then it was straight into the Trøndelag winter to clear roads! I learned a lot in a very short period of time. Not just the driving, which can be challenging, but also the maintenance of the equipment and the removal and installation of the plow. I think it probably helped that I grew up with two brothers and have been used to doing tough things like driving snowmobiles.” Read more

 

Source: IRU