Jaguar Land Rover announces record number of degree apprenticeships to deepen talent pool for electrification

8 February 2023

  • Move opens automotive career path for those concerned about university costs
  • Nearly 300 apprenticeships available in total – half of those will be degree apprenticeships, a 70% uplift from last year
  • Apprentices gain vital work experience and above average salary while they study towards a degree
  • All apprenticeships available in areas such as electrification, self-driving, artificial intelligence, data analytics, software engineering and machine learning

Gaydon: Jaguar Land Rover today announces a record number of degree apprenticeships are on offer this year, opening up opportunities to gain a degree in a world class automotive business and develop the next generation of modern luxury vehicles, without accruing large debts.

As the UK-based modern luxury car manufacturer opens 300 places on its 2023 apprenticeship scheme, it is announcing 150 of those will be degree apprenticeships - a 70% increase on last year - to deepen its talent pool with digital, autonomous and electrified skills.

Degree apprenticeships offer those who might not consider university due to the cost, the opportunity to get started in the industry and get paid by their employer while they also study.

The JLR starting salary of c.£24,500 is well above market rate meaning young people can afford to move closer to JLR for a degree apprenticeship.

Two JLR degree apprentices Frazer Balzan and Erin Purewal were chosen to represent JLR at an event at the Houses of Parliament yesterday (Monday 6 February), hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), to talk to parliamentarians about degree apprenticeships.

Both Frazer and Erin are studying part time at the University of Warwick while working for JLR.

Frazer is a JLR Degree Apprentice in Power Electronics, originally from Skipton. He was studying Physics at Leeds University until he heard about the JLR degree apprenticeship.

He said: “The degree apprenticeship was financially a much better option for me than university. There was a lot of pressure on me through debt mounting in study fees. My parents were asking me what I would be doing after I finished, and I was worried I wasn’t getting a lot of relevant work experience. It was an anxious time.  

“Now every hour is used towards a future that I can see. It has relieved anxieties about the future. The next natural step for me would be to find a role in JLR in power electronic design. I’m pursuing that.”

Erin, from Coventry, is working on a JLR degree apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions, specialising in Data Analytics. She says she applied because both the automotive industry and the technological industry are at pivotal points of change.

Erin began at JLR in a Data Analyst role and is now currently working in the central Data Engineering team.

She said: “The work of data roles is so important to the business, and it is amazing to be a part of this change as businesses adapt to becoming more data driven.”

JLR Head of Early Years Careers Programme, Anne Marie Campion said: “Our apprenticeship programmes including our Degree Apprenticeships are highly sought after. Our apprentices will enjoy a fantastic experience. They will learn with the UK’s top training providers and support our Reimagine strategy, working on our future vehicles that are fundamental to our global success.”

Last year JLR launched its Future Skills Programme, a global upskilling that will see 29,000 people trained in electrification and digital skills in the next three years.

These skills are essential to developing, building and delivering JLR’s next generation of cars that epitomise modern luxury experience for our clients.

Further information

For more information visit www.media.jaguarlandrover.com or contact:  

David Wrottesley

Global External Corporate Communications Manager

Corporate Affairs

dwrottes@jaguarlandrover.com

(0)7846 091 167

 

Notes to Editors

 

  • Pictured JLR degree apprentices Erin Purewal and Frazer Balzan with Matt Western MP, Chair of the All Party Motor Group and Shadow Universities Minister
  • JLR has this year opened up almost 800 places in its Early Years Careers Programme including apprenticeships, undergraduate and graduate courses. This is a 55% increase on last year’s figure and a new record intake for the company
  • All Apprentices, regardless of the programme they are joining, are fundamental to our global success. Our Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Apprentices, and Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Apprentices, are helping us to build the cars of tomorrow, learning and developing key skills in autonomous driving, electrification and more
  • Jaguar Land Rover already has one of the largest apprenticeship populations in the UK automotive sector, with around 1,200 apprentices currently in training
  • The JLR starting salary of c.£24,500 is well above market rate meaning young people from around the UK can afford to take the opportunity and move closer to JLR to work increasing accessibility and inclusivity

 

About Jaguar Land Rover: Reimagining the future of modern luxury by design 

Jaguar Land Rover’s Reimagine strategy is delivering a sustainability-rich vision of modern luxury by design.

We are transforming our business to become carbon net zero across our supply chain, products, and operations by 2039. We have set a roadmap to reduce emissions across our own operations and value chains by 2030 through approved, science-based targets. Electrification is central to this strategy and before the end of the decade our Range Rover, Discovery, Defender collections will each have a pure electric model, while Jaguar will be entirely electric.

At heart we are a British company, with two design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an engine manufacturing centre, and a battery assembly centre in the UK. We also have vehicle plants in China (a joint venture), Slovakia, Austria (contract manufacturing with Magna Steyr), India (contract manufacturing with Tata Motors Ltd) and Brazil, as well as seven technology hubs across the globe.

For more information about Jaguar Land Rover’s Reimagine strategy please visit: https://www.jaguarlandrover.com/reimagine

Jaguar Land Rover is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors Limited, part of Tata Sons.