Picture: JCB

Digger giant JCB is to take on 100 new welders to help meet an “historic demand” for its machinery.

Over the last year JCB has recruited 1,350 new workers on the shop floor.

And it has given permanent contracts to 1,000 agency employees.

The welders are needed at the plant machinery HQ in Rocester, Staffordshire.

JCB chief operating officer Mark Turner said:

“Over the past five years the number of welders in the UK has shrunk, which presents businesses with a big challenge at times of high demand.

“JCB has been working very hard over the past few years to tackle this shortage and attract new entrants to this highly skilled job with its apprenticeship and training programmes, which have been very successful.

“We are delighted to be building on that success with the creation of 100 permanent new welders’ jobs.

“We offer some of the best conditions and pay rates in the region and with opportunities for nightshift work and overtime, this is great news for welders in the area looking to join a successful global company.”