JCB invest £3.5 million in new talent as triplets join as apprentices

JCB are pumping £3.5 million into recruiting more than 100 new young people into the business in 2012 – just as a set of 16-year-old triplets embark on their working lives as apprentices at the same JCB factory. 

JCB are investing the money in a new ‘Young Talent’ programme that will see 103 young people join from September, either as graduates, sponsored undergraduates or apprentices. The announcement was made as 16-year-old triplets Jack, Katie and Liam Rowe started their apprenticeships at JCB – working not only at the same factory, JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, but all training to be welders. 

Miles Pixley, JCB’s human resources manager for technical excellence and core skills, said: ‘Developing young people is vital to the future of a global business like JCB and the amount being invested this year demonstrates just how serious we are about recruitment in this sector. 

‘We are implementing our ‘Young Talent’ programme against a backdrop of success with our existing graduate recruitment programmes, which have enjoyed 100% retention over the past five years. The 103 new apprentices, graduates and undergraduates who join us later in 2012 are the future lifeblood of JCB and will build us into an even stronger company in the future.’ 

Graduate training programmes will focus on developing expertise in powertrains, manufacturing, engineering, business and finance. As part of the Young Talent initiative, JCB are more than doubling the number of apprenticeships they offer in the UK in 2012 as well as launching a brand new Higher Apprenticeship Scheme in September with the opportunity to study to degree level. Among the skills being developed are: mechanical and electrical maintenance; tool-making; and welding and fabricating. Apprentice quality engineers and fitters will also be recruited. In addition, JCB will offer internships to another 27 young people during 2012.  

Meanwhile, the Rowe triplets are Level II apprentices receiving training in fabrication and welding. They are being trained in all welding disciplines and will complete their apprenticeships in June next year. 

Jack Rowe said: ‘We’ve had a great reaction since we came to work here and everyone has been really helpful, giving us tips and advice on different techniques. I’d love to stay on and rise to become a team leader.’

Katie, who is JCB’s only female welding apprentice, said: ‘Everyone was surprised to hear that we were triplets and at first they didn’t believe us.’ 

Liam added: ‘I’m hopeful that I can be set on at the end of the apprenticeship and beat these two, get a higher position and be in charge of them!’ 

JCB Heavy Products operations manager Mike Mitchell said: ‘The advantage of recruiting at this age is that you can train to the high standard that a global business like JCB needs. All three are doing very well and getting a thorough grounding in core welding techniques.’ 

The triplets were born almost three months prematurely on 23 August 1995 and spent three months in hospital intensive care before their parents were allowed to bring them home. Sixteen years on and the popular trio are raising a smile among workmates every morning as they arrive in convoy at JCB on 50cc scooters. 

Their father Dave Rowe, who worked as a nightshift team leader at JCB Heavy Products when the triplets were born, said: ‘We are so proud of them and they are very lucky to have apprenticeships at a company like JCB. The company and my colleagues at the time were very good to me when the triplets were born and it’s amazing to think that now, 16 years later, all three are training to be welders at the company and at the same factory.’