Scottish youngster qualifies to drive dump truck at just 13

A 13-year-old Scot who has been fascinated with dump trucks from an early age has become one of the youngest people ever qualified to drive them.

Jay Currie from Cullen, Moray, has become one of the youngest, trained, articulated dump truck drivers after gaining his Construction Plant Competence Scheme articulated dump truck red card.

The youngster is following in the footsteps of his brother, Jamie, who also trained as an operator in the UK after gaining his card in 2020, when he was also aged just 13.

Jay sat the test on his 13th birthday and passed with a score of 49/50.

Jay Currie, 13, from Cullen, Moray, with his his father James, who has become one of the youngest trained articulated dump truck drivers after gaining his Construction Plant Competence Scheme. Picture: Paul Campbell/SPOA/PA Wire

He said: “I have always been fascinated with big dump trucks since a young age. My brother did his digger ticket so I thought I should try to get a dumper ticket, so we can get some earthmoving done.

“I wanted to do it at an early age, too, so that I could have more experience on the machine.”

Passion for diggers run in the family: Jay’s dad, James is the director of Currie Contractors Cullen Ltd.

He is looking forward to one day working on commercial sites with his sons.

Jay added: “I would like to encourage other people like me to follow in my footsteps or similar as it can provide a great career path and it can make their CV look better when applying for a job.”

Callum Mackintosh, of the Scottish Plant Owners Association, said: “What a fantastic achievement by Jay and what a duo him and his brother are. Laying the foundations for a career in plant at 13 is admirable.”

He added: “Careers in plant are well worth considering and I look forward to seeing where Jay’s future takes him.”

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