Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will recruit 133 apprentices in 2012, its largest intake ever. Its programme, this year searching for both advanced and higher apprentices launches on Monday 6 February coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week here in the UK.
Tata Motors-owned JLR took on 114 advanced apprentices in 2011. This year’s intake of 24 higher apprentices will work towards achieving a series of NVQs and a degree in a comprehensive training programme open to A-level qualified candidates.
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The automaker’s advanced apprenticeships scheme is open to GCSE qualified candidates and starts with a year in college studying for an NVQ2 in performing engineering operations, an NVQ3 in a chosen trade pathway, plus a technical certificate, as well as training in key skills such as communication, IT & numeracy. Apprentices will move on to a variety of manufacturing and product development jobs.
JLR human resources director Des Thurlby said: “Our apprentice intake has more than doubled in the last four years and I am delighted that this year we are committing to take on a record number of apprentices. Apprenticeships provide a valuable and credible career path for the brightest and best.”
Apprentices will be recruited at all of JLR’s Midlands and Merseyside based engineering and manufacturing sites including the new advanced engine facility where advanced apprentices will support the development of a new, in-house generation of low-emission engines replacing units currently sourced from Ford in Bridgend, Wales, and the PSA-Ford diesel engine JV in Dagenham.
These are the first positions to be advertised for the new Wolverhampton engine plant granted planning permission just before Christmas.
Seperately, GM Europe UK unit Vauxhall said it had hired 124 apprentices across the company, including dealer operations, last year. “We anticipate similar numbers for 2012,” the company said.
