A record-breaking group of JCB apprentices had two reasons to celebrate at the launch of National Apprenticeships Week at the beginning of March.

A total of 79 apprentices were awarded their apprenticeship certificates — at the same time as receiving contracts of employment with the Staffordshire-based manufacturer of construction equipment.

The group is the biggest in the history of JCB to graduate as Level 2 and 3 apprentices in a single year.

They received their awards from JCB directors at a special graduation ceremony at the company’s Rocester headquarters.

The company has a long history of recruiting apprentices, and this year marks 55 years since the first intake of nine completed their training and were presented with their apprenticeship certificates by company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford.

Graeme Macdonald, JCB chief executive, said: “New talent joining the business is fundamental to JCB’s future growth and success; our business is growing rapidly, and the apprentices are an important part of our plans for the long term.

"Over the past five years, JCB has invested £30 million in its training programmes, with more than 700 new recruits joining the business as apprentices or graduates.

"Their commitment to learning has been exemplary, and their hard work has paid off with the award of full-time contracts.”

Max Jeffery, JCB director of learning and development, said: “The apprentices who have been awarded full-time contracts range from age 18 to 38 and include a former professional rugby player, a pub landlord and a cleaner, as well former students from the JCB Academy.

"The diversity of this year’s graduating apprentices shows this is a great route into a new and promising career — no matter what your background, age or experience.”