News : Jaguar Land Rover seeks 150 apprentices

Dan Powell

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Jaguar Land Rover has launched its 2014 apprenticeship campaign. There are 150 places available on the award-winning programmes, with opportunities for both school leavers and A-Level graduates.

Jaguar Land Rover claims its apprenticeship scheme will give students a strong blend of real-world experience and academic learning. Applicants can choose from either a four year Advanced Apprenticeship aimed at GCSE students or a six year Higher Apprenticeship aimed at A-Level entrants.

To qualify for the Advanced Apprenticeship, applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs, graded A-C, which must include English, maths, science/technology/engineering subjects, or a BTEC level 3 (60 credits) or equivalent in an engineering/technology related subject. The four year programme focuses on product development and manufacturing. Candidates may also get the opportunity to complete an HNC, City & Guilds or Foundation Degree.

The advanced Higher Apprenticeship is designed for A-Level students who have acquired A-Level maths and science/technology/engineering in addition to five GCSE’s at grades A-C, including English, maths, science/technology/engineering subjects, or a BTEC level 3 (90 credits) or equivalent in an Engineering/Technology related subject.

The six year programme focuses on a variety of roles within Jaguar Land Rover, with spells in product development, finance, purchasing and manufacturing. As well as giving real world experience with one of the world’s most brands, the Higher Apprenticeship includes a fully-funded engineering degree from The University of Warwick.

In both cases, recruits can expect to work alongside world-class Engineers to develop Jaguar Land Rover’s latest vehicles.

To apply for an Apprenticeships at Jaguar Land Rover go to www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com

Keith Adams
Latest posts by Keith Adams (see all)

10 Comments

  1. Now this is really good news. Compare and contrast this scheme with the recently announced effort from ‘BMW/Mini. This is real training, for real engineers and technicians, in a company that designs, engineers, and manufactures in the UK – unlike the BMW cheap labour scheme/CKD operation.

  2. Another tiresome, ill-informed pop at MINI.

    Right – just for future reference – MINI engines are made at Hams Hall in Birmingham, MINI bodies and other panels are stamped out in Swindon, and the car is built, not assembled, in Cowley. This is patently NOT a CKD operation.

    CKD is where everything arrives in the factory pre-made, and the line workers, just bolt-up sub-assemblies. Like JLR’s output, the MINI is a British-built car. Unlike JLR MINI is not headquartered in the UK, and little design work happens here now. That is a shame. A big shame.

    But please – it’s not a CKD operation, and the workers there wouldn’t thank you for saying that.


    MINI factories factfile – inside the triangle

    Opened in May 2000, the Hams Hall factory was set-up to produce the Group’s four-cylinder Valvetronic engine range. The factory initially ran under capacity because four-cylinder engines were a minority in the BMW range – and there was no longer a mid sized Rover in the corporate plan – but production ramped up quickly with the introduction of new niche models such as the X3 and 1-Series. With the introduction of the R56, production of the joint PSA-BMW engine has meant that production was ramped up again.

    Plant Swindon produces specific body components for MINI, which are delivered as pre-assembled units to Plant Oxford. Since the introduction of the R56, Plant Swindon plays an increasingly important role in the MINI production triangle in the UK as it increases the volume of pressings and sub-assemblies supplied to Oxford. Swindon employs around 1100 associates.

    The largest factory in the triangle, Plant Oxford’s roots lie in Pressed Steel and the Morris Car Company. Although the current plant occupies only a quarter of the footprint of the BMC factory when it was at its height, it is certainly more productive. From a workforce of 4500 associates, nearly 200,000 MINIs roll off the production line every year. There are 12 miles of production line within the factory and each car takes about 10 hours to build. Such is the size and importance of Plant Oxford, it has its own rail terminal.

  3. Keith and Kev. Can one of you inform of what is the difference between the 2 apprenticeship schemes of JLR and MINI?
    I know you will say I’m whining Keith but it is a pity BMW don’t allow MINI its own UK HQ or Design but who knows what the future will bring with this fine UK Manufactured product.
    This storey is another great news item to come out of JLR.

  4. I don’t think you’re whining. In fact, I said this in my last comment, ‘Unlike JLR MINI is not headquartered in the UK, and little design work happens here now. That is a shame. A big shame.’

  5. Slarty, In short – the JLR scheme will produce qualified engineers. The BMW scheme will produce fitters. The JLR scheme will produce people with professional qualifications, the BMW scheme will produce people with a trade qualification. (Many of the BMW people are destined for dealer service.)

  6. Thanks Kev
    Interesting, JLR are so committed to their workforce and training, its just how everyone should do things……more government support for a JLR style schemes wouldn’t go amiss.

  7. @2 – Well said Keith – as far as I can tell the BMW/Mini apprentice scheme aims to achieve exactly the same results as this JLR scheme. Why wouldnt it? And why would a company from Germany that really values these sorts of skills want to create some sort of inferior training scheme here?

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