Our history

Sibbald began in 1973 when 19-year-old David Sibbald left his farm job to buy his first JCB for £580.

By 1976, the company had three excavators and two employees, primarily providing construction plant hire services in Edinburgh and West Lothian, including the Livingston Town development.

Expanding the business

In 1981, David’s wife, Shona, joined the business. The company expanded to five excavators and five employees. A turning point came in 1988 when the Construction Industry Training Board introduced a certification for plant operators. Recognising a gap in quality training in Scotland, Sibbald established itself as a leading training provider, earning Testing Centre number 1002, second to the CITB Training Centre at Bircham Newton.

By 1989, Sibbald was gaining recognition, leasing a 20-acre training site in Whitburn. By 1994, the company had 26 employees, and had expanded its training scope to include forklift and highway safety courses.

In 2000, the company entered the export market, training workers in the Falkland Islands. David and Shona’s sons, Douglas and John, joined the business in 2003 and 2006, respectively. In 2009, Sibbald opened its purpose-built, award-winning training facility at Sibbald Park, Blackridge.

Adapting through COVID

The company adapted during COVID-19 by embracing online training, ensuring continued support for clients. In 2020, David Sibbald was awarded an MBE for services to business and charity, receiving the honor from HRH Princess Anne in 2021.

Sibbald Training today

Today, Sibbald Training, led by Director John Sibbald, remains a family business, with the welcome addition of our Commercial Director Niel Ritchie in 2021, Operating from their HQ at Sibbald Park, they employ 41 staff, with a fleet of 15 machines and 25 service vans, continuing to set industry standards in training and safety.