Careers at JCB: Robert's story

By Daibhid MacCann, Senior Marketing Executive

​Having joined JCB as an agency worker through Guidant Global, Robert discovered a pathway to a new chapter in his career by joining a Weld Upskilling course and becoming a qualified industry standard Welder. He tells us about his journey.

From Support Worker to Shop Floor
Robert had previously been a support worker for children with complex needs, trauma and homelessness, but with his wife expecting a child, he needed a job with more regular hours. Having applied as an agency worker through Guidant Global, he started his journey with JCB in January 2021 as a Production Operative on the backhoe assembly line. However, Robert was keen to progress his career and, due to his hard work and dedication on the assembly line, Guidant put him forward for a Weld Upskilling course, designed to take people from a production background with no previous welding experience and equip them with the skills to become fully qualified welders.

An opportunity to learn new skills
Robert jumped at the chance to join the course, saying, “I knew it would open up avenues for progressing in other areas of JCB”. In June 2021, alongside 13 other candidates from the production line, he commenced his training under the tutorship of experienced welder, Matt Haines and Dean Taylor. Though he had no prior welding experience, Robert said “There was a really good atmosphere, and all the participants were there for the right reasons. Matt and Dean were really knowledgeable, friendly guys and I felt welcome from the outset.”

Newfound confidence in a new career
Robert quickly grew in confidence throughout the course and recalls being “delighted” when he put down his first weld. Now qualified as an industry-standard welder, having been certified by an external accreditor, Robert went straight into work at a backhoe weld bay. He has already carried out a lot of sub-assembly work and while his primary task is building dual pin brackets for the machine chassis, he has also deployed his welding skills in other areas of the factory. “I found the welding upskilling course really valuable,” he said. “It provides the participants with the chance to further their career and be more involved with the production process.”

If, like Robert, you want to see where a career at JCB could take you and what skills you might learn along the way, we are also currently hiring Production Operatives at our sites across Staffordshire.
If you’re interested in working for JCB apply today here

JCB is also recruiting experienced welders and we would welcome applications from anyone with a MIG, TIG or Tacking weld background to apply here.