Jaguar Land Rover Launches 2016 Apprentice Recruitment Drive

• Jaguar Land Rover opens search for over 200 apprentices in 2016
• A record 245 Advanced and Degree apprentices joined the company in 2015; 900 over the past five years
• Skills Minister praises Jaguar Land Rover for backing the next generation of British talent
• Apprentices “learn and earn” with sponsored degrees and NVQs
• Opportunities in the Midlands and North West
• New Jaguar Land Rover Academy offers recruits the chance of lifelong learning through their career with the company

Whitley, Coventry – 6th October, 2015: Jaguar Land Rover has launched its recruitment drive for over 200 apprentices to join the company in September 2016. The Government's Skills Minister, Nick Boles, praised the UK's largest automotive apprenticeship provider saying:

“Jaguar Land Rover is playing a leading role in backing the next generation of highly skilled workers. Their new apprentice intake will learn highly sought after skills whilst benefiting from earning a wage and some will even gain a degree.

“Jaguar Land Rover recognises the value apprenticeships bring to their business and productivity, this is why we are committed to delivering 3 million quality apprenticeships by 2020.”

Jaguar Land Rover is the largest apprenticeship provider in the UK automotive sector, currently accounting for approximately half of the total apprentices employed in that industry. Applicants can choose from either the four year Advanced Apprenticeship aimed at GCSE students, leading to qualifications that include NVQ3; or the six year Degree Apprenticeship aimed at A-Level entrants and leading to a fully sponsored BEng degree in Applied Engineering from the University of Warwick.

Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover's Engineering Director, is an inspirational role model for those considering an apprenticeship with the company. Having joined Jaguar Land Rover straight from school as an apprentice, Nick went on to gain a degree in mechanical engineering and has risen through the company to his current position in charge of over 8,500 engineers and a place on the company's executive committee. Reflecting on the apprenticeship scheme, Nick said:

“There has never been a better time to join Jaguar Land Rover as we continue to grow on the global stage. We want to meet the next generation of engineers who are going to change the car industry in the next thirty years. The Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeship programme offers a great mix of on-the-job experience and learning. In order to continue our success, we are investing in the next generation of problem solvers, creative thinkers and future leaders. Our engineers make the impossible possible. Passionate, inquisitive and open-minded candidates are encouraged to join us and help shape the exciting future of Jaguar Land Rover."

Britain's 2015 Apprentice of the Year is Alex Tomlinson, a fourth year Powertrain Degree Apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover's Whitley engineering centre in Coventry. Further evidence of the company's determination to find the very best apprentices, Alex was also named overall Best of British Engineering by sector skills council SEMTA. Alex said:

“When I discovered Jaguar Land Rover ran a degree apprenticeship, it seemed too good to be true and I applied like a shot. Not only is there the opportunity to gain sought-after qualifications without ending up with student debt, but you are paid at the same time. It is much more suited to my style of learning – I can apply what we are being taught in the real world. And it is a huge bonus to be surrounded by people with many years of workplace experience who are keen to share their knowledge.”

The start of the 2016 recruitment campaign follows hot on the heels of the 2015 intake of 245 apprentices, who joined the company in September. With some 900 advanced and degree apprentices having started their career with the company over the past five years, this year's recruits were the first to start their training as part of the newly-launched Jaguar Land Rover Academy. The Academy will offer training for employees at all stages of their working lives with Jaguar Land Rover, whether they are new recruits or more experienced employees seeking to move to the next level in the organisation. Reflecting on the launch of the Academy and the start of the recruitment of apprentices, Kirsty Scott, HR Director, Organisation and Talent Development, said:

“We are investing heavily in employing and developing the highly skilled people that will help ensure our continued success. Our Jaguar Land Rover Academy gives focus to that investment and we are proud to be leading the industry in this field.”

To apply for an apprenticeship go to: http://www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/jlr-roles/future-talent/apprentices/

Applications are now open. The closing date is 31st December, 2015.

Ends

Media contact

Joan Chesney: +44 7467 448 229 E: jchesney@jaguarlandrover.com

Notes to editors

Overall

• Over the past five years, Jaguar Land Rover has doubled sales and employment, more than tripled turnover, and invested some £11 billion in new product creation and capital expenditure.
• Apprenticeships and graduate programme
• Jaguar Land Rover is amongst the UK's largest recruiters of graduates and apprentices, taking on 2,500 over the past five years. These include some 1,600 that have joined the company's graduate programme and 900 advanced and higher / degree apprentices that have started their career with the company.
• In addition, Jaguar Land Rover trains over 2,000 intermediate apprentices each year. The one-year intermediate apprenticeship leads to an NVQ2 in Lean techniques and Technical Certificate at level 2.
• In 2015 the company welcomed its largest intake of undergraduates, with 230 beginning work placements at the company.
• Widely recognised as one of the country's leading employers, Jaguar Land Rover is the highest-ranking automotive manufacturer in the prestigious Times Top 100 List of Graduate Employers, moving up to 16th position in 2014 / 15. The business is also 6th in The Guardian's Top 300 list of Graduate Employers for 2015 / 16.

About the Jaguar Land Rover Academy

Launched in September 2015, the Jaguar Land Rover Academy offers “lifelong learning” for people at all stages of their working lives with the company, whether they are new recruits or more experienced employees seeking to move to the next level in the organisation. Delivering training that is relevant to the changing business requirements, the Academy will enable employees to progress their careers at Jaguar Land Rover.

Courses range from engineering up-skilling programmes to postgraduate qualifications, including the company's award-winning advanced and degree apprenticeships, as well as its well-established graduate programme. Within its first year, the Academy's curriculum will expand to cover other functional, business and management qualifications delivered by leading universities, academic institutions and vocational training providers.

The Jaguar Land Rover Academy is run in partnership with WMG, building on the company's strong ties with the University of Warwick. Courses are delivered by 10 leading universities and a number of other specialist training providers. With its beginnings in the UK, the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will expand its reach to the company's global workforce of 36,000 people.