JLR accelerates electric future with 150 new manufacturing roles

JLR is recruiting 150 maintenance technicians in the West Midlands to boost its electrification strategy.

Of the 150 roles, JLR is recruiting 50 technicians for its Solihull plant. These roles will maintain automated manufacturing equipment essential to the production of Range Rover Electric, which is launching later this year.

The remaining 100 maintenance roles are based at JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EMPC) in Wolverhampton.

The luxury car manufacturer has set its sights on delivering pure electric versions of all of its brands by the end of the decade as part of its Reimagine strategy. It also aims to be carbon net zero across supply chains, products and operations by 2039.

The first electric car JLR will launch later this year will be Range Rover Electric, built in Solihull and now with 57,000 clients on the waiting list. Also built in Solihull will be the first of three reimagined modern luxury electric Jaguars, which will be a 4‑door GT.

In January, JLR submitted plans to extend its Wolverhampton site to manufacture electric drive units and battery packs. It’s seeking to demolish an existing 13,000 sq ft canopy and replace it with a 70,000 sq ft extension.

The EPMC at i54 currently has 1,700 staff producing internal combustion engines. However, EPMC will now also produce electric drive units and battery packs for JLR’s next-generation vehicles.

Nigel Blenkinsop, JLR executive director of industrial operations said: “Investing in people and the latest technology is at the cornerstone of our Reimagine strategy.

“With the transformation of our factories of the future now well underway, we’re now looking for talented technicians with a passion for sustainable innovation to help support our growth.”