Jaguar Land Rover boosts training facilities will launch of new Academy

VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has launched a first of its kind training facility.

The new Academy, unique within the UK automotive sector, will offer all JLR workers the opportunity to take part in continuous development programmes to enhance their careers and provide the skills the company needs.

The new academy will be run in partnership with WMG, building on Jaguar Land Rover’s strong ties with the University of Warwick.  The academy’s technical and vocational curriculum will be co-ordinated from WMG’s facility at the university.  With its beginnings in the UK, the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will expand its reach to the company’s global workforce of 36,000 people.

With an annual learning and development outlay of £100m, the manufacturer invests heavily in skills.  The creation of the academy is intended to give renewed focus to that investment and the company said it would deliver improved skills for the long-term by strengthening the links between training and business needs.  

All training provided through the academy will meet quality levels defined by a recognised and standardised accreditation process.

Commenting on the academy launch, JLR CEO Dr Ralf Speth said: “We are investing significantly in the future of Jaguar Land Rover by creating very special vehicles for our discerning customers and, just as importantly, by employing and developing the highly skilled people that will help ensure our continued success.  
“For me, our workforce is our most crucial asset and I see the Jaguar Land Rover Academy as the lifeblood of our organisation.  The aim of the academy is to maximise the talents of our workforce and give them new chances to develop their careers to the full.  Through providing opportunities for continuous learning from recruitment to retirement, the Academy will ensure that we have the skills needed to compete globally.”  

The academy will offer training for employees at all stages of their working lives. The Lifelong Learning approach will follow a structured plan tailored to the needs of each function, delivering training that is relevant to the changing business requirements and enabling employees to progress their careers at the company.

Learning opportunities will range from engineering up-skilling programmes to postgraduate qualifications, including the company’s award-winning advanced and degree apprenticeships, as well as its well-established graduate programme.  
Within its first year, the academy’s curriculum will expand to cover other functional, business and management qualifications delivered by leading universities, academic institutions and vocational training providers.

Training currently includes 8,800 workers undertaking academic and vocational qualifications ranging from NVQ2s to PhDs.  Of those, over half are following undergraduate or postgraduate level studies.

Chairman of WMG, Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said:  “We have a symbiotic relationship with Jaguar Land Rover and I admire the company’s vision in providing this focus and governance for its learning and development.  The academy will be the first of its kind in the UK automotive sector and will provide excellent opportunities for the company’s current workforce and future employees.”

As part of its vision for the academy, JLR will also be extending the training programmes for use across its supply base and other aspects of the company such as its dealer network.

Skills Minister, Nick Boles, said the move would ensure the company had the skills it needed for years to come.

“The academy highlights the company’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers and manufacturers. Companies like Jaguar Land Rover are encouraging talented people to build lifelong careers and in turn boost the country’s productivity,” he said.