Salaries and Costs
Local recruiters and staffing agencies set expectations early on pay rates, recruitment fees, and agency costs so budgets stay tight and hiring stays quick. Van drivers in Ealing often sit at £12 to £15 per hour for daytime shifts, with nights and weekends trending higher. Class 2 HGV can land at £16 to £19 per hour, with Class 1 at £18 to £22 for trunking on the A40 and M4 corridors. Permanent salaries vary by kit and route pattern, with shift premiums common for multi-drop work. Typical permanent recruitment fees range from 12% to 18% of basic salary, with executive search for transport managers moving higher on niche briefs. For temps, expect a clear breakdown of the pay rate, holiday accrual, and agency margin, so businesses can compare like-for-like.
Qualifications
Driving recruitment agencies in Ealing place a strong focus on clean licences, Driver CPC, digital tachograph cards, and up-to-date medicals. ADR, HIAB, forklift, and manual handling certificates lift a profile where specialist freight or construction delivery is part of the route. Many recruitment consultants support refresher modules, CPC hours tracking, and license checks so local employers can onboard with confidence.
Regional or geographic variations
The Ealing job market has its own rhythm, shaped by the A40, the M4, and fast rail links at Ealing Broadway on the Elizabeth line. Park Royal, Perivale, Greenford, and Southall generate steady logistics demand, with food production, parcel hubs, and retail distribution attracting day drivers and night trunkers. Proximity to Heathrow strengthens airside and time-critical routes, with air freight partners often needing drivers who are known to local employment firms and cleared for site access.
Local hiring challenges
Short-notice demand, last-mile peaks, and compliance checks can stretch an internal team. Recruiters with live, pre-vetted pools help businesses hire staff quickly to cover no-shows or breakdowns. Retention improves when agencies clearly profile routes, vehicle types, and start times so candidates can plan travel on the Central and Piccadilly lines or along the Uxbridge Road. Reliable shift info and prompt payroll keep job seekers engaged and reduce churn for local employers.
Roles and career paths
Agencies in Ealing supply van drivers, 7.5 tonne drivers, Class 2 and Class 1 drivers, driver mates, transport administrators, planners, and depot supervisors. Career paths often move from van to 7.5 tonne with company-funded upgrades, then on to Class 2 and Class 1 as confidence grows. Transport coordinators can develop into planning roles, with the step to transport manager supported by CPC Management training and mentoring through experienced recruitment consultants.
Key sectors or employers in the region
Food and beverage distributors in Southall, e-commerce and parcel firms near Park Royal, construction suppliers along the A40, and retail warehousing in Greenford drive steady hiring. Public sector contracts and Ealing Council services add demand for refuse LGV, winter gritting crews, and seasonal cover. Employment firms with mixed desks in industrial, logistics, and driving are well placed to find employees who fit both the route and the depot culture.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Temp agencies cover ad hoc drops, peak weeks, and holiday cover with PAYE or umbrella options. Permanent desks secure long-term drivers and transport office staff who need route knowledge and customer service. Contract work supports fixed-volume schedules with tiered rates, agreed service levels, and clear KPIs on punctuality and POD accuracy. Candidates can register with an agency once, then pick up shifts that suit the week, or chase a permanent seat with regular start times.
Compliance and safety standards
Ealing recruiters keep a close eye on WTD, tacho rules, right to work, licence checks, and DBS checks where school or care deliveries are involved. Yard and supervised assessments of the new kit help prevent early incidents. Clear site briefs, PPE rules, and near-miss reporting protect both the workforce and client reputation. Regularly audited agencies give businesses confidence that every driver starts compliant on day one.
Hard-to-fill positions
Night trunking with tight windows, multi-drop deliveries in dense residential streets, and ADR fuel or chemical deliveries can be tricky for staff. Early starts from Park Royal and late finishes for Heathrow-linked work often need driver pools within quick reach of Ealing Broadway, Acton, and Perivale. Recruiters with standby cover and fair uplift rates fill these gaps faster than generalists who lack local reach.
Seasonal trends and themes
Black Friday to New Year brings parcel surges and weekend routes. Summer events, school term changes, and bank holidays move volumes across the borough. Good agencies forecast peaks with their clients, book drivers in advance, and lock in fair pay rates to keep the workforce loyal during busy spells. Clear comms on parking, loading bays, and LEZ or ULEZ rules in West London keep routes running smoothly.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
How fast can an agency fill a same-day driving shift?
Many Ealing recruitment agencies can place within a few hours if the brief matches a pre-vetted driver profile and start location.
What documents should a driver bring when registering with an agency?
Licence, CPC card, tacho card, proof of address, right to work, and recent references are the basics for most desks.
Do agencies cover both PAYE and umbrella for temps?
Yes, most staffing agencies offer PAYE and umbrella, with the pay rate and assignment rate clearly shown on the booking confirmation.
What are the common reasons for failed placements in Ealing?
Unclear start times, last-minute route changes, and long unpaid waiting can cause dropouts, so clear briefs and fair rates help retention.
Are recruitment fees negotiable for multiple permanent hires?
Many recruiters offer a scaled fee or a rebate structure for volume hires, so it pays to agree terms before the campaign starts.
Do driving recruitment agencies in Ealing support new pass drivers?
Some do, often with shadow shifts or depot mentoring, though many clients prefer six months’ experience for multi-drop routes.