JCB apprentices are set to share their on-the-job training experience with an audience of at least 140,000 people as part of a live broadcast across the UK.

They will be put under the spotlight during National Apprenticeship Week when they host The Big Assembly – a programme which will be broadcast to students next week to highlight the fantastic opportunities apprenticeships offer.

The programme will be live-streamed into hundreds of UK schools and colleges from the JCB Quarry, near its World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire on Tuesday, February 6th before an invited audience of Year 10 students and teachers from three local schools – Blythe Bridge High School, Sir Thomas Boughey Academy and Chesterton Community Sports College, both in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

It will feature expert panel discussions with apprentices and business bosses about the benefits of the apprenticeship route as well as demonstrations of JCB machines in action.

The company was chosen to host the prestigious event in recognition of its investment in apprenticeships. In the past three years JCB’s Global Learning team have trained almost 500 apprentices in every aspect of the business.

JCB Global HR Director Max Jeffery will be on The Big Assembly expert panel. He said:

“JCB is one of the largest construction machinery manufacturers in the world and the company is on an ambitious growth route for the next five years. We invest £8 million a year in our Early Careers programme to ensure new talent is constantly evolving and helping us to remain world leading."

“Every part of the company is involved in the scheme through 44 different apprenticeship routes which range from welding on the production line through to engineering design, software development and business administration."

“Last year we had more than 5,000 applicants for the programme which shows not only how keen young people are to pursue the apprenticeship route, but also how much they value the opportunity to build a career with a globally recognised brand such as JCB.”

The Big Assembly was watched by an estimated 140,000 people last year and schools, businesses, parents, and members of the public can register to watch this year’s event by going to the website.

The event will be followed up by an Apprenticeships Open Day at JCB Global Learning Centre, JCB World Headquarters, Rocester on Saturday February 10th at 10am and 1pm. To book a place visit here.