A former soldier says he is now earning £43,000 a year after taking on a job with Asda. Steven Eden, 47, now works as a lorry driver for Asda, where he transports food to supermarkets, unloads and reloads empty cages.
There has been a huge demand for HGV drivers in recent years, which has resulted in a dramatic increase in salary ranges. In the UK the number of drivers dropped by 16.5% in four years, but Steven says it's a really "rewarding" job and he's "never been happier".
Speaking to The Sun, the dad-of-two said: "I can have the radio up, I'm my own boss. It's me all over and it's so rewarding. I'm doing good for other people, filling people up [with food]. I like the manual bits of taking the frozen food off.
"And I've got a few drivers friends – they're all in good spirits."
After 12 months training, including getting his HGV licence, he was ready to work with the help of Veterans into Logistics, a charity which provides training and support for ex-forces staff without trades or skills to get into the logistics sector.
According to Darren Wright, founder of Veterans into Logistics, the job of a lorry driver is the "fastest way of earning decent money".
To become a HGV driver you need to have a full car licence, be over 18 and get a professional driving qualification called the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.
You also need to pass your HGV driving test, and while training can cost a total of £2,000, Veterans into Logistics work with ex-forces to cover costs.
