JCB has announced plans to create 600 new jobs over the next three months.
The construction equipment supplier will create over 200 roles immediately after global growth in the sector led to record demand for many products manufactured at JCB's Rocester, Cheadle, Rugeley and Foston, Derbyshire plants.
With 200 staff set to be recruited, including welders, paint sprayers and assemblers, a further 400 staff will be required in the next 12 weeks.
JCB Chief Operating Officer, Mark Turner said: "This is great news for the local economy and great news for anyone seeking to work with a globally successful business.
"We know the cities of Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and surrounding towns have people with the skills we need, and in return they can expect excellent rewards. We urgently need fabrication welding skills along with paint sprayers, and general assemblers who will be given full training.
"The opportunities are initially for agency employees, however we see them as long-term opportunities – in fact, in the first three months of 2018 we have given permanent contracts to 200 agency staff. That means over the past four years we have handed permanent contracts to 850 agency employees.
"The future is very bright for JCB as global demand for our machines continues to grow, which means great prospects for people who want to work with us."
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