JLR's Expansion Efforts in the Midlands

author: FutureCar Staff    

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is expanding its workforce by recruiting 300 new technician roles in the West Midlands. The positions will be spread across its Solihull, Gaydon, and Whitley facilities and will support the increased production of Range Rover vehicles and the testing and maintenance of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Out of the 300 roles, approximately 100 maintenance technicians will be hired for JLR's Solihull plant. They will be responsible for operating and maintaining highly automated production facilities in a new body shop, which has been built at a cost of around £130 million. This new body shop will enable a 30% increase in Range Rover and Range Rover Sport production in the future.

In addition, technicians will also receive training to work on a new body production system worth approximately £70 million. This system will support the production of the highly anticipated new electric Range Rover at the Solihull facility.

Furthermore, JLR is recruiting around 200 technicians and test engineers to be based at its Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Powertrain facility. These individuals will play a crucial role in testing and developing JLR's next generation electric vehicles.

All technicians and test engineers will undergo electrification training as part of JLR's Future Skills Programme. This training will equip them with the necessary skills for the production and maintenance of electric vehicles.

Barbara Bergmeier, Executive Director of Industrial Operations at JLR, expressed her excitement about the new roles, stating that they offer talented individuals the opportunity to be part of the company's transformation towards electrification. She also emphasized the importance of upskilling and welcomed the new cohort of individuals who will contribute to the creation of luxury vehicles.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, commended JLR's commitment to the region and the future of electric vehicles. He highlighted the talented workforce in the area and expressed his satisfaction that JLR recognized this by providing employment opportunities for local people. Street believes that JLR's investment will benefit the region's skills, prosperity, and opportunities for families in the coming years.

JLR is investing £15 billion over five years in its industrial footprint, vehicle programs, autonomous technology, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and people skills. This includes the transformation of its manufacturing facilities in Solihull, Wolverhampton, and Halewood to produce electric vehicles.

The next electric vehicles to be launched by JLR will be the new Range Rover BEV, with pre-order books opening later this year. This will be followed by the introduction of three reimagined modern luxury electric Jaguars, starting with a 4-door GT model built in Solihull, UK.

SOURCE: JLR

FutureCar Staff