Management Structure Changes
Management Structure Changes
J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd are delighted to announce some management structure changes to the business from January 2026.
Andrew Caldwell who has been with the business for 29 years with his current role as Board Director has decided to retire at Christmas. Andy worked his way through from Surveyor, Estimating Manager through to Board Director and has been a great asset to the business. We wish him a long and happy retirement.
Alan Hawkins will be appointed to the role of Director as Andys replacement. He has been in the structural steel industry his entire career and worked through various roles. He currently heads our Estimating Department within the business and is a well deserved appointment.
We are also delighted to announce that Derek Pierce will step down as Managing Director and take the role of Chairman within the business. Derek has led the business from the front for over 20 years and has elevated it to one of the top Structural Steelwork Contractors in the UK. Derek will have full involvement on a day to day basis giving guidance and advice to the new management team on leading the business forward and elevating to the next level.
The role of Managing Director within the business will obviously now become available. To allow the duties of this role to be undertaken and fulfil the demands of the position, we have decided to appoint joint Managing Directors, each being responsible for specific areas of the business. This will allow better visibility and control throughout all divisions within the group.
The persons appointed as joint Managing Directors are Dave Ryan and Jamie Pierce.
Dave Ryan started his career on the tools as a fabricator and worked his way into estimating. He joined our business 14 years ago in the Estimating Department working his way to Division Manager for our Strubeam business.
Jamie Pierce started his career with the business 15 years ago as an apprentice fabricator/welder. He moved onto site operations undertaking onsite variations, he then moved onto site engineering before moving to a site management role. After 8 years of being site based he was appointed as Operations Manager within the group headquarters in Ayrshire. He was then promoted to Operations Director two years ago.
We would like to congratulate everyone above on their new roles within the business. We look forward to the fresh energy and innovation this young, very experienced team will bring.
Celebrating 50 Years on the Road
Celebrating 50 Years on the Road
This year marks a major milestone for J&D Pierce as we proudly celebrate our 50th anniversary. To commemorate this achievement, we’re delighted to unveil our brand-new DAF Lorry — a striking symbol of how far we’ve come as a company.
The lorry features a stunning custom design that captures the evolution of J&D Pierce through the decades, highlighting our growth, our people, and the projects that have shaped our success. The incredible artwork was created by the talented Scott Airbrushwork, who travelled all the way from Yorkshire to complete this exceptional piece. His craftsmanship and attention to detail have resulted in a truly unique vehicle that celebrates both our heritage and our continued drive for excellence.
The new DAF Lorry will be hitting the road across the country, proudly carrying our 50th anniversary branding wherever it goes. It stands not only as a testament to our history but also as a reminder of our commitment to innovation, quality, and the strong relationships we’ve built over the years.
Keep an eye out for 50JDP on the road — a moving tribute to 50 years of J&D Pierce!
Training the Future at J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd
Training the Future at J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd
At J&D Pierce, Training the Future isn’t just a phrase — it’s the foundation of who we are.
From our fabrication and welding shops, where new talent learns their craft in our Training & Development Academy, to our on-site teams mastering steel erection, and our office-based apprentices developing skills in detailing and design — we’re proud to see the next generation of industry professionals growing right here within our business.
We currently have over 50 apprentices across J&D Pierce — some just beginning their journey, and many who have gone on to achieve incredible milestones. From those celebrating their first year of learning, to others marking 5, 10, 20, and even over 30 years since starting as trainees, each milestone represents growth, commitment, and opportunity.
Our continued investment in people — not only financially, but through time, mentorship, and shared experience — is one of the key reasons behind our long-term success. It’s this approach that helps us build more than just great structures; it builds the future of our business and our industry.
Here’s to all our trainees, apprentices, and mentors — the people who make J&D Pierce what it is today, and what it will be tomorrow.
Current Apprentices: Alex Gray, Alex Rose, Callum McGinley, Cameron Deans, Cameron Downie, Cameron Russell, Euan Mckinley, Graeme Callaghan, Jack Gilles, Jacob Adamson, John Boyd, Kyle Keddie, Lewis Edgar, Lewis Holburn, Lewis Thomson, Mason Wales, Owen Hughes, Reece Steven, Robert Kerr, Robi Young, Ross Muirhead, Ryan Harrison, Sean Seaton, Thomas Connick & Zach Howarth.
Drawing Office Apprentices: Kyle, Billy, Ryan & Fraser
J&D Pierce Fair Work Challenge Poverty Week 2025
J&D Pierce Support Challenge Poverty Week 2025
North Ayrshire Council Press Release:
Local Business and Council Unite to Support Challenge Poverty Week 2025
A family-run business in the Garnock Valley has pledged its support for Challenge Poverty Week 2025 and is calling on employers across Ayrshire to continue investing in local communities.
North Ayrshire Council is also proudly backing the initiative once again, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting residents through challenging times.
Challenge Poverty Week (October 6 to 12) highlights the reality of poverty and explores practical ways to improve life for people who are struggling to make ends meet.
Organised by The Poverty Alliance, the week of events and awareness raising activities encourages communities to come together, support one another and inspire positive change in attitudes towards poverty.
This marks the tenth consecutive year the Council has demonstrated its support, with this year’s activities focusing on the following themes:
- Social security – building a foundation for a better life
- Better jobs, pay, hours, conditions and worker voice
- Better investment in life’s essentials
- Better investment in our communities and
- Warm homes, green travel and safe climate with time for reflection on Saturday and Sunday.
J&D Pierce, a structural steelwork contractor based in Glengarnock, is a Living Wage employer.
For the past 20 years, the company has recruited new apprentices and provided training to equip these apprentices with the skills needed for a career in the business.
Director Andrew Caldwell explained: “We pay the Living Wage as a minimum, and this helps us to recruit and – more importantly – retain staff.
“Our training academy was set up 20 years ago. Through this, we bring in entry-level labourers, and many of them want to progress within the business.
“So, we put them on a six-month training scheme, where they are mentored by time-served welders and fabricators, and they become either a fully-qualified welder or plater. This gives people a chance to further their career and earn a better wage.”
Between eight and ten apprentices are recruited every year, and the firm currently has in the region of 52 apprentices across the business.
Funding support from the Council over the years has helped the company to train local apprentices and other staff.
“It is very important for us, as a business, to reduce poverty locally. Hopefully, other companies within the Ayrshire region would also look at creating opportunities for people who are unemployed. This would dramatically help to reduce the numbers of people living in poverty,” added Mr Caldwell.
Here in North Ayrshire, throughout Challenge Poverty Week, the Council’s social media channels will be used to highlight a range of activities and services.
The Council’s top priorities include reducing child poverty and supporting residents through the ongoing Cost-of-living Crisis.
Council Leader Marie Burns said: “I believe that employers across Ayrshire have a responsibility to implement Fair Work principles, to look after their staff and pay them enough to have a decent standard of living.
“The company’s approach to employing and retaining staff is a great example of the Community Wealth Building economic model. This sees wealth being retained in North Ayrshire thanks to the Council and partners increasing employment and using local produce and resources – and it is at the heart of our continuing drive to improve life for residents.
“It is vital that responsible local employers, such as J&D Pierce, employ people from their community where possible and help residents get back to work and gain new skills.”
Existing financial support available through the Council includes: Crisis and Community Care Grants; free school meals and clothing grants; Council Tax reduction and Discretionary Housing Payment.
If you – or someone you now – needs help with Cost-of-Living support, please visit the Council’s dedicated webpage at Help with the cost of living
You can find out more about the work of the Poverty Alliance here: Challenge Poverty Week – The Poverty Alliance
Follow the Council’s social media channels, using #ChallengePoverty and #CPW25, to find out more.
J&D Pierce 50th Anniversary Celebration
J&D Pierce 50th Anniversary Celebration
We recently celebrated our 50th Anniversary in style with a spectacular evening at the Hilton Glasgow Ballroom in June. The milestone event brought together employees past and present to honour five decades of hard work, growth, and success. Guests enjoyed a sparkling drinks reception, followed by a delicious three-course dinner, employee recognition awards, and top-tier entertainment that kept the celebrations going into the night.
It was a fitting tribute to the incredible dedication, talent, and passion that have shaped J&D Pierce into one of the UK’s leading structural steelwork specialists. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, memories, and pride as we reflected on our journey and looked ahead to a bright future.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make the night so special.
Elixir Distillers Project Update
⸺ Elixir Distillers Project on the beautiful Isle of Islay.
We’re proud to share the latest progress from our ongoing work at the Elixir Distillers project on the beautiful Isle of Islay. This bespoke new-build distillery is nearing completion, and key elements of the installation are now in place. The Kingspan KS1000RW roof panels have been successfully installed at a 40° pitch using the Cladboy vacuum lifter and JDP GMK3060L crane, ensuring a precise and efficient fit. Meanwhile, the Kingspan K-Roc Karrier panel system has been fitted to the building’s elevations to support an external render system, with the help of the Cladboy and Roto 360 telehandler.
Additional highlights include the installation of anodized copper-effect rainscreen panels and anodized Kingfisher louvres, both adding striking visual and functional elements to the exterior. McKenzie Martin Kenstack roof vents have been integrated to support ventilation requirements, and their bespoke turret louvres have been installed on the unique kiln rooftop. As we enter the final stages of this prestigious project, our team is focused on completing the rainscreen and louvre works, bringing this iconic distillery on the Islay coastline ever closer to completion.
Clifton Bridge
⸺ Clifton Bridge - First Section Heads to Site South of Penrith
The first section of the new Clifton Bridge has officially begun its journey to the construction site just south of Penrith. This major infrastructure project is a vital replacement for the West Coast Main Line bridge spanning the M6 motorway. The initial delivery – the East Pier Box – is an engineering feat in itself, measuring 21.2 metres long, 4.1 metres wide, and 3.15 metres high, and tipping the scales at a massive 84 tonnes.
This marks the first of ten major loads scheduled over the next five weeks. The coming deliveries will include the heaviest component also at 84 tonnes, and the longest reaching an impressive 38 metres. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses and this essential bridge takes shape.
Apprentice Structural Engineer
⸺ Apprentice Structural Engineer
Immediately available opportunity at J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd. (abbreviated JDP). Get paid for gaining a degree apprenticeship qualification with on-the-job mentoring and learning with a leading steelwork ‘design & build’ fabricator.
As an Apprentice Structural Engineer, you shall study Civil Engineering (Environmental Civil Engineering) BSc (Hons) undergraduate degree on a day release program with Glasgow Caledonian University. This is a progressive role that will develop as your apprenticeship moves through the academic course.
As you gain more competency skills, knowledge and experience through your day job and study, you will begin to hone your skills and learn how to engineer your own contribution to projects under the direction and support of our qualified and experienced Structural Engineers.
As an apprentice with J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd. (abbreviated JDP), you shall be afforded the opportunity to experience the route-map from the inception of the design, through the commercial and logistical phases to the fabrication and erection of scheme.
- Working as a member of a team
- Document management and supporting the administration of projects
- Working primarily in an office environment but with on-site access to our production facility
- Developing competency in design software and applying this to engineering solutions
- Preparation of calculations & specifications
- Liaising with the wider team, be our internal departments or the project design team and clients
- Contributing to problem solving and value engineered solutions
- Ensuring deliverables meet the required standards
Our apprenticeship programme at JDP will provide you with the foundations to independently maximise your full potential.
- Reliability, pragmatic, self-motivated and an avid team player with strong communication skills.
- An inclusive attitude and a commitment to skills development with the drive to keep learning.
- An abundance of self-initiative.
- A lateral thinker who can apply sound reasoning and logic to solve problems, and who is can think on their feet to direct their decisions.
Designing reality in a respected and rewarding profession with good earning potential.
You can learn more at the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) website: Click Here
Structural Engineering is a specialism of Civil Engineering focusing on Buildings in the built environment. As a Structural Engineer with JDP, you shall apply a lot of the civil engineering attributes to a specialist career in the design and detailing of structural steelwork structures, including buildings and bridges.
Please Click Here for an overview of the GCU apprenticeship.
Our offer of a degree apprenticeship is a direct, fully funded pathway to professional qualification, combining undergraduate education with on the job training and contribution to real-life projects. As an apprentice engineer, you shall graduate from our scheme with both the theoretical knowledge and practical industry experience necessary to become a stand-out and respected engineering specialist.
The apprenticeship will run over a five-year period in which you will undertake a supervised programme of work-based training and university study on a day release program which itself shall be over the first four years. Your study will be towards a Civil Engineering BSc (Hons), with your last year focused on professional development suitable to attaining professional membership of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
These are additional to the University Programme Syllabus which can be found by reference to the GCU website.
- Years 1 and 2 will be work-based learning modules.
- You shall continuously report on the work you undertake in the workplace.
- Year 3 shall be The Engineer in Business where you shall work as part of a group to run a business for a year.
- Your final year shall be a project working on something that’s either critical or beneficial to our business.
Upon successful completion of your degree and the end-point assessment, you will have met the requirements needed to reach Incorporated Engineer status with the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). This is an affiliated institution to the IStructE. The challenge then is reflecting on your work-based skills attainment to secure entry to the membership of the Institution of Structural Engineers. You shall be afforded our full support in your drive beyond Technical Membership of the Institution to become a Chartered Member through the Engineering Council.
After the apprenticeship, we expect you to continue to grow your career with us as there need be no limit to your ambitions or skillset.
- A commuting time of more than one hour is not considered as a healthy work/life balance and candidate selection may be vetted accordingly.
- This is primarily an office-based role working at a desk using a computer for most of the day.
- You shall be afforded the opportunity to experience the factory and sites. A Construction Skills certification Scheme (CSCS) test will be necessary if your application proves successful.
You shall attend university as an ambassador for J&D Pierce and with a supporting letter as part of your admissions process.
Your Learning Provider is currently outlined as Glasgow Caledonian University but please note that this could be subject to change depending on availability at application.
- Minimum of four Highers.
- Must include Maths, Physics, Technological Studies or Engineering Science at grade B or better.
- One Higher must be achieved at A grade.
- Have full eligibility to work in the UK.
- Who have just finished Higher’s, or BTEC equivalent.
- Demonstrate proficiency in both written and verbal communication.
Salary shall be paid at an apprenticeship rate commensurate with our existing business model to be advised upon your invite to interview.
Working within our design team producing design models, calculations and associated technical report documentation.
Supervising design drawing production and other project related design deliverables.
Liaise closely with the drawing office, manufacturing and construction.
Ensuring that work complies to all necessary departmental and legislative requirements and procedures, to guarantee that consistency and quality of deliverables is maintained.
Coordinate, collaborate and resolve design in conjunction with the Client teams representatives.
Inputting into potential innovation to existing methods and techniques to aid both cost reductions and improved performance in assigned work areas.
Note that strong candidates shall show a particular interest in the following:
3D structural modelling with FEA software; ROBOT, Masterseries & TSD.
Construction engineering; build sequence analysis & temporary works.
Simple and complex connection design.
CEng accredited MSc in Civil/Structural Engineering.
Highly motivated with excellent communication skills.
Ability to perform with continuous attention to detail.
Able to work and collaborate in a team environment.
Must have the right to work in the UK.
Informal but structured training program aimed at progressing to CEng level.
Technical and personal development, learning from experienced chartered engineers and industry professionals.
A focus on “How to Build” structures and its influence on design; a skillset significantly waning in the industry amongst the structural engineering profession.
Graduate exchange programme through partnership with established multi-disciplinary consulting engineers.
Compressed working week Mon-Thurs (8am-5.30pm) with early Friday finish (8am-1.30pm).
Salary competitive with other industry Graduate positions.
A comprehensive modern benefits package, including health benefits, shopping discounts, cycle to work scheme, generous scaling pension scheme, Death in Service, company awards ceremony, modern facilities, and regular team building.
⸺ How To Apply
The intake for the 2025 Apprenticeship is now pressing with the University having confirmed that courses are definitely running from the beginning of October’25.
We are a lean but effective business originating in North Ayrshire and this year we celebrate 50 years. All applicants shall be fielded direct by our Design Department who shall draw down a short-list, within a target closing date of close-of-business Friday 29th August 2025.
Interviews shall start during the week commencing 18th August with all written correspondence ex-changed via email.
Candidates should submit a detailed CV for the attention of Stephen Curran.
Contact our Training Administrator to Head of Skills Development, Stephen Curran at [email protected]
Telephone: 01505 683724
⸺ Apply
Staff Benefit Package
⸺ Staff Benefit Package
Late last year, we proudly rolled out a multi-million pound benefit package for our exceptional staff. A component of this initiative was the introduction of reward schemes in recognition of the dedication of our teams and support our culture of safety consciousness.
Today, we are delighted to announce that Thomas has been awarded Employee of the Quarter for his incredible work within our Health and Safety Department. His proactive approach, meticulous adherence to procedures, and adept handling of high-pressure situations makes him well deserving of this award.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Thomas has earned himself and his family a well-deserved holiday to Center Parcs UK! Congratulations, Thomas! Your exemplary work ethic and dedication to ensuring the safety of our team does not go unnoticed.
Apprentice Welder
Apprentice Welder
Learning and understanding structural steel welding.
Follow Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Reading and understanding structural drawings.
Qualifications: Nat5 Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry (preferred but not essential), plus a practical subject e.g. metalwork or woodwork. More importantly, a willingness to learn and good work ethic are a priority.
Skills: Numeracy skills. Problem-solving. Excellent timekeeping. Attention to detail. Ability to listen and follow instructions. Clean, smart, and presentable. Willingness to learn. A keen interest in fabrication.
This position requires right to work and ability to commute to Glengarnock (and East Kilbride for positions with Strubeam)
Competitive salary based on experience, starting at apprentice wages with opportunities for higher pay rates based on performance.
28 days of paid holidays.
Subsidised canteen for convenient on-site dining.
Free on-site parking.
A comprehensive modern benefits package, including health benefits, shopping discounts, cycle to work scheme, generous scaling pension scheme, Death in Service, safety reward scheme, company awards ceremony, modern facilities, flexible shift patterns and regular team building.
A dynamic and engaging workplace with clear pathways for career progression.
Potential of a full-time position with benefits package upon completion of the apprenticeship.
Progression opportunities are available for the right candidate.
Things to Know: Training provided at our Training Academy in Glengarnock. 3 year long Company Apprenticeship for Welders. Salary in line with the Scottish Apprenticeship Rate – updated every April.
⸺ Applications
Please fill in the form below to apply for the job.