JCB apprentices attended the Staffordshire Police Crash Course this month.

All of JCB's 250 apprentices attended the 'Crash Course' event at the company's world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire this month.

Mainly targeted at young drivers aged 16 to 25, the Staffordshire Police Crash Course aims to help its participants see collisions and accidents from the point of view of a driver, a casualty and a relative of the parties involved in a road traffic collision.

JCB HR manager Miles Pixley says: "Generally, we have been exploring ways for our latest intake of employees to be more aware of motoring, the consequences of their driving and road safety.

"There are a lot of rural roads near to our factories and, in bad or wintry conditions, they can be very hazardous. So this was taken into account, too."

The one-day event included a series of presentations. One was delivered by 21-year-old JCB maintenance fitter and former apprentice Steven Kotara who was involved in a single-vehicle accident, which resulted in his car being written off.

The maintenance fitter and former apprentice, says: "Fortunately, I walked away injury-free, but it did make me realise how vulnerable you can be in your vehicle and how easy it is to become over-confident."

Course co-ordinator Ann Morris says JCB wants to make road safety awareness accessible to its employees. "JCB is a major employer in the area and, both directly and indirectly, is responsible for a lot of vehicles on the roads. By taking part, they are demonstrating responsibility, not only to their own employees but to the community as a whole."