200 new jobs as JCB looks to fuel ‘record growth’
DIGGER GIANT RECRUITING MORE AGENCY WORKERS
BOSSES at JCB say they have created 200 agency worker jobs to help fuel “record growth”.
The Rocester-based digger giant already employs more than 8,000 staff, but the firm is now looking for assembly line workers, forklift truck drivers, machine operators and welders.
They will work at the company’s headquarters in Rocester, and at sites in Uttoexeter and Cheadle.
The new recruits will be agency workers, but JCB has pointed out it has converted 850 agency roles into permanent positions in recent years.
Group HR director Max Jeffrey said: “JCB has enjoyed another record year. Achieving record growth means we’ve to find a record number of people to fuel this growth not only in the UK but all over the world.”
Flyers have been posted through letterboxes at homes in the area by a recruitment firm working on behalf on JCB to attract new workers.
The firm admits it has been challenge in finding workers during a period of record employment in the UK.
Mr Jeffrey said: “Really high levels of employment means it can be difficult trying to grow.
“But we have to grasp the nettle and get on with it and get more people to consider working for JCB.”
During the Covid pandemic lockdowns, JCB picked up staff who were looking in other areas for employment when industries such as hospitality were forced to close down.
Mr Jeffrey added: “Covid drove people to look elsewhere and they looked at us and our pay rates and realised they could earn a good living.
“We’ve kept a lot of those. But we’re creating another 200 jobs”.
Last year, JCB is understood to have made more than 100,000 machines, a company record, and demand remains at unprecedented levels, which is why it need more staff.
Pay rates for workers are £11.53 an hour rising to £12.15 after 12 weeks for most roles, and for certain highly skilled roles – like welders and heavy machinery operators – it is £14.60 an hour.
Anyone interested in the jobs can apply by texting “JCB” to 82228.