JCB trains staff to survive economic downturn

It is part of a huge programme involving more than 2,000 employees from JCB’s Midlands’ and Wales factories aimed at equipping the workforce with the skills needed to weather the economic downturn – and take advantage of the opportunities a recovery will bring. Plants in Rocester, Cheadle, Uttoxeter, Wrexham, Rugeley and Derbyshire are all taking part.

Among those participating are 750 employees from the Backhoe Loader, Loadall and Hydraulic Business Units – all based at the World HQ. They are involved in a four-day programme being held at Uttoxeter Racecourse which includes sessions on performance manufacturing operations, problem solving and health and safety,

Corporate College, the business arm of Derby College, is delivering the programmes for staff attending the sessions at the Racecourse, with colleges in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burton, Walsall, Lichfield and Tamworth delivering similar training to staff from other factories.

The scheme has already won praise from Skills Secretary John Denham, who held up the company as an example of good practice during a debate in the House of Commons. And employees taking part in the training programme have also heralded it as a big step in the right direction as JCB looks to combat the effects of the global economic challenge.

Ken Stepney, JCB’s Head of Learning and Development said: "We have been very encouraged by the response to the training programme. In partnership with the colleges we are equipping the workforce with the skills they need for the future. We are working to combat the problems caused by the economic downturn and readying ourselves for the opportunities a recovery will bring."

April Hayhurst, Commercial Director at Corporate College, Derby, is impressed by JCB’s determination to weather the storm and its commitment to the workforce. "It demonstrates a real sense of corporate responsibility”, she said. “In difficult times many companies can have a ‘head in the sand’ mentality but not at JCB, they are really doing something that will benefit the company as a whole as well as all the individual employees who take part."

The training laid on combined team building sessions with classroom learning to help employees work towards valuable qualifications. They include a NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Performing Manufacturing Operations, City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Problem Solving and a Level 2 Health and Safety Award. Other training being undertaken includes a BTEC qualification in Lean Manufacturing, while JCB supervisory staff will also have five days of training in management skills and techniques.

JCB is also delivering a wide range of internally-organised training courses covering team leading, fabrication and welding, lean manufacturing and operating efficiently in the workplace. At JCB Transmissions in Wrexham, more than 300 shopfloor employees are undergoing training on business improvement skills, reducing inventory and specific tuition on assembly line and machinery use techniques.

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment.