Careers at JCB: Sue's Story

By Adam Barratt

​Sue has been with JCB for over three and a half years now. After initially working on the production line, building backhoe harnesses she eventually moved onto a position in Materials. She walks us through her own journey at JCB:

“Prior to working at JCB I’d worked in an office but I felt I wanted more. I initially looked at an office job with JCB, but but when I saw the advert with a video of women doing jobs in the factory, I just thought to myself “I could do that!"

I applied through Guidant Global and secured a job building backhoe harnesses. There were a lot of learning opportunities in this job, particularly in the fitting area where there’s so much going on around you. But for me, I wanted to learn something new and develop my skills so I could progress in my career. When the opportunity came to take on a role in materials where I’m liaising with customers and co-ordinating multiple materials needs, I jumped at it.

It’s been fantastic being able to work my way up from the fitting team to this role now as it’s given me a real insight into the goings-on in the factory which is hugely invaluable.”

JCB does everything it can to move people around in the business and help them learn new skills and discover new opportunities to progress their skills which, as Sue explains, is significantly appealing to many people:

“One of the great things about working at JCB is the opportunity to really grow professionally and play to your strengths. I know plenty of people who have moved around within the company – they want you to be happy in your job here and they accommodate what people want in their work. I’m one example of that. I wanted a move into materials, I knew there was an opportunity there and I made it clear that’s where I wanted to go – and I did.

​Life at JCB is really fun – we face different challenges each day but everyone has a laugh together, everyone’s friendly and it’s just a really nice working environment. I wanted a job that meant I wasn’t sat behind a desk everyday and I definitely have that now. A few of us have bets on how many steps we’ll achieve each day and some days I can easily hit 26,000 so I think it’s safe to say I get to move around a lot!”

While Sue isn’t based in Rugeley directly, she commutes in to the factory each day along with many other colleagues – and there’s a real team spirit in the everyday commute:

“While I drive in directly, for those who can’t, everyone chips in together to help them out. A few people have organised car pools and we all sort of know who can help out where. Some people come in with one person for the start of their shift, but know they need to get a lift back with someone else at the end of the day, but everyone chips in where they can.”

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With the success of the staff-led car-pooling, JCB has begun a trial transport work scheme for Production Operatives from in and around the Burton area for those working from 6am to 5pm. This scheme will be on offer for new recruits working – if you’re interested in working for JCB and finding out more about this transport scheme, apply at JCB Application