Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK: Steven O’Kane from Garvagh has won the McCulla Arctic Challenge champion and secured a job with the transport firm.
McCulla Transport Ireland teamed up with the Young Farmers’ Clubs Ulster to offer a member a chance of a lifetime by competing in the McCulla Arctic Challenge.
The challenge provided an opportunity for young farmers in Northern Ireland to test and their driving skills during the challenge held at Nutt’s Corner. Each entrant was shown the basics of how to drive an articulate truck at maximum weight before driving a course to test them on their natural skills in areas such as awareness, reversing, and controlled manoeuvring.
The ten finalists were interviewed by McCulla Transport directors, Ashely McCulla and Carol Thompson for their suitability for job with the company.
Winner Steve O’Kane will be put through his HGV class 1 licence and given 35 hours of CPC training that will count towards his certificate of professional competence costing £3,500.
O’Kane’s win is a “massive opportunity” and the job with McCulla Ireland carries a starting salary of £18,000 per year rising to £30,000 with experience.
Ashley McCulla, managing director of McCulla Ireland presents the Steven O'Kane with the prize for winning the McCulla Ireland Arctic Challenge
He said: “I can’t wait to start, I’m delighted to have won and I am really looking forward to becoming a full time driver with McCulla Ireland. I was so impressed with the event and top class lorries and trailers, I can’t wait to go home to tell my fiancée and family that I actually won.”
Ashley McCulla, managing director of McCulla Transport Ireland, said: “We were delighted to team up with the YFCU to organise this event. By in large farmers have a strong work ethic, the natural skills to be great truck drivers and we are very proud to have Steven as part of our team.”
William Wilson, president of the Young Farmers’ Clubs Ulster said: “We were delighted to be working with McCulla Transport Ireland on this event which was a huge success and we can’t wait to take part again next year which I’m sure it will be bigger and better.
“The opportunity that McCulla Transport is offering Steven is truly life changing and I’m delighted for Steven to have won as it was a tough challenge but he drove very well.”
