Look at all these apprentices rolling in their JCBs

Of the 168 people who are joining JCB, a total of 117 are apprentices – the biggest ever single intake of apprentices in the 71 year history of JCB. A number will be Higher Apprentices who will go on to take degrees, learning while they earn and avoiding the need to incur costly student loans. The apprentices started work this week.

It brings to £20 million the amount the company has invested in its Young Talent programme over the past four years – an initiative which has seen around 550 graduates and engineers join the business.

The news comes as JCB prepares to open up applications for its 2018 programme on Monday, October 2^nd. Information will be available via the JCB website.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford started his career as an engineering apprentice in 1962 before joining JCB in 1964. He said today: “Young people are the future of our company and investing in young talent is vital as the company expands. I began my working life as an apprentice and I’m delighted to see a record number of apprentices joining JCB this year. It’s a fantastic way to learn skills vital to our business, progress to degree-level study and to advance to senior roles in the company.”

The 117 apprentices joining JCB are on a range of programmes from Level 2 upwards. The latest recruitment drive has seen a significant increase in the opportunities to develop welding and assembly skills which are essential to the UK manufacturing business. These options are attractive to new employees entering work from education for the first time, or those from other sectors with work experience who are looking to learn a new trade and apply what they have learnt through their daily work.

The number of opportunities to join the Higher Apprentice programme has also been doubled enabling 20 places to study up to degree level for those who have attained either A-levels or a Level 3 Apprenticeship. This programme has been specially adapted to meet the technology needs of the business and supports careers in Mechanical, Manufacturing and Electrical Engineering.

In addition, 24undergraduates with mechanical, electrical, electronic and software skills will also begin work in September along with 27 graduates, from a range of disciplines. They will gain in-depth knowledge of technical and commercial aspects of business operations on programmes which include design, manufacturing, powertrain, purchasing, sales and marketing.  

Group Training Director Alan Thomson said:  “JCB is expanding quickly and launching a range of innovative and exciting new products. We are ambitious to grow the business and the record level of investment in this year’s Young Talent programme is crucial to our future.”

Earlier this year JCB Design Engineer Holly Broadhurst was crowned the UK’s top Higher and Degree Apprentice. The 22-year-old from Leek, Staffordshire, beat off competition from hundreds of other contenders to land the accolade at the National Apprenticeships Awards in London.

Broadhurst joined JCB as a Higher Apprentice aged 16 after studying at the JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire. She went on to take a two year foundation degree before stuyding for two more years for a BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering. She graduated last year and now works at JCB Compact Products in Cheadle, Staffs, where she is part of the team designing JCB’s award winning mini excavator range.

Broadhurst said: “Becoming a Higher Apprentice at JCB was one of the best decisions of my life and has opened up a great career path for me. The apprentices joining JCB this year have a very exciting time ahead.”

Tom Clarke, 27, of Sandon Road, Stafford, worked for a distribution company for several years but wanted a change so has enrolled onto a Level 1 Craft Apprenticeship at JCB in the Loadall Division. He said: "Progression was really slow in my last job and it wasn't stimulating me. With JCB there is plenty of scope to move up the career ladder and because it is a global company I may have the chance to work around the world.”  

Oliver Richards, 17, from Etchinghill, Rugeley, said: “I left school last year and have been involved in various work experiences and working part time in a supermarket just to earn some money. But I wanted to follow my brother Curtis-Rhys who works for JCB so applied to be an apprentice.”

Richards concluded: “I am now enrolled on to a Fabrication and Welding Apprenticeship the JCB Backhoe Loader division. It is a great opportunity as it will give me a really good qualification with the chance to learn a lot more.”