Gaydon, 4 February 2024 – In a sparkling move to turbocharge its talent pool, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced an ambitious expansion of its apprenticeship programme, now welcoming whizzes with BTEC and T-Level qualifications to apply. This electrifying strategy aims to supercharge the company’s transition towards electrification, adding a jolt of diversity to its engineering ranks.
With the rev of National Apprenticeship Week’s engine just around the corner (5–9 February), the UK’s most luxurious car manufacturer is shifting gears by adding an extra 50 seats to its 2024 apprenticeship scheme, cranking up the total to an impressive 350 opportunities. This expansion not only accelerates JLR’s commitment to cultivating a broader spectrum of talent but also marks the reintroduction of Level Four Higher Apprenticeships for candidates holding BTEC and T-Level qualifications, alongside those with A-Level maths.
In a bold move to steer the future of global electric vehicle supply chain management into a digital era, JLR unveils its new Supply Chain and Procurement Degree Apprenticeship. This innovative programme is designed to enhance the resilience, planning, and sustainability of JLR’s supply network, ensuring a smooth ride into the electrified future.
Among the first to cruise down this new path is 19-year-old Suleman Ahmed from Birmingham, a shining example of the programme’s allure. Turning down a coveted spot at the University of Cambridge, Ahmed chose to navigate his career through JLR’s Applied Professional Engineering degree apprenticeship, citing the unbeatable combo of real-world experience and academic excellence offered at Warwick University.
Ahmed’s journey is more than just a cruise; it’s an adventure into the heart of JLR’s electric vehicle innovation, testing the endurance of parts and systems in simulated environments. This hands-on approach not only accelerates his learning but actively contributes to the engineering of JLR’s next-gen electric vehicles.
Caroline Leslie, JLR’s Global Head of Early Careers, revs up the enthusiasm, highlighting the company’s ‘Reimagine’ strategy aimed at fostering a diverse workforce capable of creating exceptional modern luxury vehicles. By shifting the apprenticeship entry requirements, JLR opens the highway to a more inclusive talent pool, empowering a new generation of engineers to drive the future of luxury automotive design.
Echoing this sentiment, Technology and Decarbonisation of Transport Minister Anthony Browne praised JLR’s role in nurturing ‘Skills for Life’, emphasizing the importance of high-quality apprenticeships in advancing the economy and greener transport solutions.
With JLR’s reputation as one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in 2023 and a robust Early Years Careers programme boasting around 1,600 participants, the company is setting the pace for developing essential STEM skills. This initiative not only fuels the aspirations of young talents like Ahmed but also gears them up for a debt-free start in their careers, proving that when it comes to innovation and education, JLR is truly in the driver’s seat.
