Stuart MacLachlan: Building His Future Through a Scot JCB Apprenticeship

Meet Stuart MacLachlan, a second-year apprentice based at our Glasgow depot. Originally from Kilchoan in Ardnamurchan, Stuart always gravitated towards practical, hands-on work. When he came across the Scot JCB apprenticeship on social media, he recognised immediately that it aligned with the career path he wanted to pursue. 

Choosing the Right Path 

Traditional college routes never appealed to Stuart; instead, he was looking for a role that would allow him to develop practical skills and gain industry experience. The Scot JCB apprenticeship offered exactly that.  

Since joining Scot JCB, Stuart has gained a deep understanding of JCB machinery and feels more confident tackling diagnostics and repairs than when he first started. 

A Varied and Rewarding Working Day 

Stuart begins his day at 8 am, but what follows can vary widely. His responsibilities range from carrying out PDIs on brand new machines to completing repairs, depending on the needs of the depot. 

"I enjoy the mix of workshop-based tasks and opportunities to travel with engineers to customer sites. Working alongside my colleagues and fellow apprentices have helped me build strong teamwork skills and broaden my experience across different types of jobs.” 

One of the highlights of the role has been travelling to locations such as the Isle of Mull and the Isle of Islay – experiences he cites as memorable and enjoyable parts of the job. While he appreciates time in the workshop, he especially enjoys being out on the road and meeting customers across Scotland. 

Supportive Training and Professional Development 

Throughout his apprenticeship, Stuart has felt well supported by both workshop engineers and office staff, he explained, “if I’m looking for advice when tackling a new challenge, there is always someone available to help.” 

His college training is completed in structured blocks, giving him time to balance academic requirements with practical work. “I enjoy the hands-on aspect of the apprenticeship, and I appreciate that the training model allows me to focus on developing real engineering skills.” 

In addition to attending college, Stuart is involved in a series of in-house training sessions at our Glasgow depot, led by our designated trainer John. 

A standout moment in his Scot JCB journey was visiting the JCB factory and the World Parts Centre. This included a guided tour around the JCB Loadall and Backhoe production line, where he acquired a greater understanding of the production process and the scale of global operations.  

A Positive and Engaging Team Environment 

Stuart describes the Glasgow depot team as “friendly, hardworking and supportive”, and he values the positive atmosphere. He has worked closely with experienced engineers, including his mentor Ryan, who has played an important role in his development. 

Stuart’s Advice for Future Apprentices 

Stuart encourages anyone considering an apprenticeship to take the next step, particularly those who enjoy hands-on work and problem-solving. He emphasises that “the Scot JCB apprenticeship programme is both enjoyable and educational, offering genuine opportunities to build technical skills and a long-term career.” 

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue progressing within Scot JCB after completing his apprenticeship and is keen to further develop his expertise. 

Start Your Journey with Scot JCB  

Applications for the Scot JCB Apprenticeship programme are now open! If you’re ready to build a rewarding career, work with industry-leading machinery, and learn from experienced engineers, this is your opportunity! 

You can learn more about the programme by visiting our apprenticeship page here.