The JCB Year 10 Challenge is a flagship, immersive engineering programme designed to inspire learners at The JCB Academy through real-world application of engineering principles. Delivered in partnership with graduate engineers from JCB, the challenge gives learners the opportunity to design, build, test, and compete while developing the technical skills, mindset, and behaviours expected within industry.
Embedded within the Engineering Maintenance module, the challenge provides an authentic insight into engineering careers while strengthening problem-solving, teamwork, and practical capability.
What the Challenge Develops
The challenge is designed to mirror professional engineering practice and develop:
- Practical engineering and construction skills
- Design thinking and problem solving
- Teamwork, communication, and leadership
- Commercial awareness and sustainability thinking
- Planning, testing, and iterative improvement
These skills support progression into engineering apprenticeships, further study, and industry pathways.
How the Challenge Works
Learners take part in a series of structured engineering tasks over several weeks, progressing through defined stages that build towards a competitive final.
Design and Build Phase
Working in teams, learners design and construct a scale model of a JCB Loadall telescopic handler cab and attachment.
Teams must:
- Buy and sell components, introducing commercial decision-making
- Consider sustainability and environmental impact, which influences material value
- Design and build a cab using materials such as cardboard, plastic straws, and glue guns
- Load test the cab for strength and durability
- Construct a functional attachment designed to move materials efficiently within a timed challenge
This phase develops creativity, structural understanding, and an appreciation of real-world engineering constraints.
The House Competition
Learners compete within their academy house teams, showcasing their engineering capability, teamwork, and urgency.
The strongest teams from each house earn the opportunity to progress to the final stage of the challenge.
The JCB Headquarters Finale
The top six teams, each consisting of six learners, are invited to JCB’s world headquarters for the final showdown.
During the finale, teams:
- Present their engineering designs to industry professionals
- Take part in rigorous performance testing
- Compete head-to-head in competitive engineering races
- Demonstrate teamwork, preparation, and professionalism under pressure
This final stage gives learners a unique opportunity to experience engineering in a world-class industrial setting.
Beyond the Competition
The JCB Engineering Challenge extends far beyond the competitive element, offering learners valuable insight into engineering careers and industry culture.
As part of the headquarters visit, learners benefit from:
- Career talks delivered by JCB graduate engineers
- A tour of The Story of JCB museum, exploring innovation and engineering heritage
- A live demonstration of a JCB Loadall, showcasing engineering at scale
- A two-course meal hosted by JCB, recognising learner achievement
Celebrating Success
The challenge concludes with a formal awards ceremony attended by JCB executives, apprentices, and industry professionals. Learners are recognised for achievements including:
- Innovation
- Teamwork
- Urgency and efficiency
- Product excellence
These awards celebrate both technical achievement and professional behaviours.
Inspiring the Engineers of Tomorrow
The JCB Engineering Challenge provides learners with an exceptional opportunity to apply engineering skills in a realistic, high-quality industry context. Through design, construction, testing, and presentation, learners gain confidence, capability, and clarity about future engineering pathways.
By working alongside industry professionals and experiencing engineering beyond the classroom, the challenge supports our mission of Changing lives by developing the engineers and business leaders of the future.
