A new workforce initiative from British heavy equipment manufacturer JCB aims to remove long-standing barriers that have kept many Hispanic construction workers from becoming business owners, despite their experience and technical skills.
The company’s Be Your Own Boss, or Sé Tu Propio Patrón, program is designed to help Hispanic construction professionals access financing, business education, and industry support as they work to start or grow their own companies. The effort coincides with JCB’s continued expansion in the U.S., including construction of its second American manufacturing facility on San Antonio’s South Side.
Industry leaders say the issue has rarely been about talent. Instead, limited access to capital, business knowledge, and financial institutions has prevented many skilled workers from taking the next step.
“They know what they do. They know how to do their job, but it’s in the business side of things,” said Roniel Rivera-Garcia, leadership development associate with JCB North America, which is building its second U.S. plant on the South Side. “That was the missing piece on this whole puzzle and that’s why JCB came together (to) bring actual offerings for them to get the knowledge they need.”
Through the program, JCB works with its dealer network across the country to provide applicants with flexible financing options that may not be available through traditional banks, particularly for those without an established credit or business history. According to JCB, this gap has disproportionately affected Hispanic contractors, even as they make up a significant share of the workforce.
Hispanic workers account for roughly one-third of the U.S. construction labor force, but that figure rises to about 63% in Texas. Rivera-Garcia said that approximately 90% of Hispanic construction businesses operate without bank support, forcing many owners to rely on personal savings to get started.
“Where everyone is saying no, we’re saying yes,” Rivera-Garcia said.
The program also addresses a common challenge faced by first-time entrepreneurs — proving business viability without prior operating history.
“How can I get business history if you don’t let me start?” Rivera-Garcia said.
Once approved, participants receive a $5,000 starter fund that can be used for a range of needs, including permitting costs, equipment purchases, tools, or covering early operational expenses. Program materials and applications are available in both English and Spanish, and JCB plans to begin hosting business seminars nationwide in 2026.
Beyond financing, the initiative emphasizes community-building and mentorship. Participants receive a free one-year membership in the Hispanic Contractor Association, which provides access to coaching, networking events, and business development resources.
“Anyone who’s trying to start a business benefits from talking to other people who have done it and been successful,” said Pam Veiock, JCB’s events and community relations manager.
JCB has not placed a cap on funding or participation levels.
“The sky is the limit,” she said.
Although the program focuses on helping workers start new businesses, it is also open to existing contractors who need operational or financial support.
“It will go beyond just people starting,” Rivera-Garcia said.
The initiative is being piloted in Texas before expanding nationally, a decision JCB says reflects strong demand for contractor resources in the state. Company leaders view the program as both an economic opportunity and a long-term investment in the construction workforce.
“It’s a really great story of seeing how someone can grow from nothing to a big business, just starting with that initial relationship,” Rivera-Garcia said. “That’s what we’re looking to do.”
JCB’s $500 million, 1 million-square-foot San Antonio manufacturing plant is scheduled to open in 2026 and will join nearly two dozen JCB factories operating worldwide.
Originally reported by Kelsey Brown, Staff Writer in Express News.
