JCB announces 200 new jobs to help power record growth

CONSTRUCTION giant JCB is offering 200 new jobs as it needs workers to help “fuel record growth”.

The company already employs more than 8,000 staff, but is looking for assembly line workers, forklift truck drivers, machine operators and welders to work at sites in Cheadle, Uttoxeter and at the firm’s headquarters in Rocester.

The firm admits it has been challenge in finding workers during a period of record employment in the UK. The new recruits will be agency workers, but JCB has pointed out it has converted 850 agency roles into permanent staff 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 across North Staffordshire by a recruitment firm working on behalf on JCB to trying to attract new workers.

Mr Jeffrey said: “You’ve to work hard to stand still. 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 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 made more than 100,000 machines, a company record, and demand remains at unprecedented levels, which’s why they 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, such as heavy machinery operators, it is £14.60 an hour. Anyone interested in the jobs can apply by texting “JCB” to 82228.