JCB has announced that it is recruiting 100 new welders for its Staffordshire factories as demand for its products continues to soar.
The recruitment drive has just got underway for the permanent jobs at JCB’s world headquarters and its plants in Cheadle and Uttoxeter.
In September, JCB will also start an additional 15 new recruits on to its fabrication and welding apprenticeship.
In the past three years, almost 70 welding apprentices have passed their courses – and all gained permanent JCB jobs, the company said.
Demand for JCB machinery
The news comes as demand for JCB machines reaches historic highs with most products now sold out until next year, according to the machinery manufacturer.
It also comes in a year when JCB has recruited 1,350 new shop floor employees and handed permanent JCB contracts to 1,000 agency employees.
JCB chief operating officer Mark Turner said: “Over the past five years the number of welders in the UK has shrunk, which presents businesses with a big challenge at times of high demand.
“JCB has been working very hard over the past few years to tackle this shortage and attract new entrants to this highly-skilled job, with its apprenticeship and training programmes, which have been very successful.
“We are delighted to be building on that success with the creation of 100 permanent new welders’ jobs.
“We offer some of the best conditions and pay rates in the region and with opportunities for nightshift work and overtime, this is great news for welders in the area looking to join a successful global company,” he concluded.
Other JCB ventures
Earlier this year, the Scot JCB group launched a new division to spearhead its machinery and parts sales and service operations for agricultural customers.
The company combined Kelso & Lothian Harvesters and A.M. Phillip Agritech, forming Scot Agri, a new agricultural brand within the Scot JCB group.
Scot Agri provides machinery sales, service and parts from JCB; Massey Ferguson; Valtra; HORSCH; Ktwo; and Vicon, across its six depots in the northeast of Scotland and two depots in the Scottish Borders.
