Triplets welded together for career choice

Jack, Katie and Liam Rowe are now training at the same JCB Heavy Products factory in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, and even arrive for work riding a convoy of 50cc scooters.

The 16-year-old siblings, who live in Dane Grove, Cheadle, Staffs, have been taken on by JCB as the firm pumps £3.5m into recruiting more than 100 young people during 2012.

The triplets are receiving training in fabrication and all welding disciplines and will complete their apprenticeships in June next year.

Katie, who is JCB’s only female welding apprentice, said: “Everyone was surprised to hear that we were triplets and at first they didn’t believe us.”

Her brother Jack, who hopes to become a team leader at the plant, said: “We’ve had a great reaction since we came to work here and everyone has been really helpful, giving us tips and advice on different techniques.”

The triplets’ unanimous choice of career is said to have raised smiles among their colleagues and Liam has already raised the prospect of one day being his sister and brother’s boss.

JCB Heavy Products operations manager Mike Mitchell said: “The advantage of recruiting at this age is that you can train to the high standard that a global business like JCB needs.

“All three are doing very well and getting a thorough grounding in core welding techniques.”

The triplets were born by emergency Caesarean section almost three months prematurely on August 23, 1995. Father Dave Rowe, 47, who was working at JCB Heavy Products when the triplets were born, spoke of his pride that they were now learning a key manufacturing skill at the plant.