JLR invests in its next generation of skilled workers with recruitment of 273 new graduates
VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has invested in the future of its workforce with the recruitment of 273 new graduates.
The 2013 intake were joined on their first day with the company by 19 graduates recruited by JLR’s National Sales Companies in South Africa, the USA, China, Australia and Europe. This latest tranche of graduates takes the total number recruited in the last three years to almost 1,000.
Recruited from many of the country’s leading academic institutions, the new graduates have joined one of the fastest growing manufacturers in the UK.
Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover CEO said: “Jaguar Land Rover’s drive towards excellence in research, design and innovation has seen us invest heavily in our business but our future success lies in our ability to deliver even more advanced and sustainable products.
“This can only be achieved through a continued commitment to the next generation of innovators who will lead the advancement of technologies required to shape the future of our company and the wider automotive industry.”
In July, JLR was named Responsible Business of the Year by Business in the Community for, amongst other things, its role in championing the agenda around the advancement of skills and development of young people. And as the highest ranking automotive manufacturer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers index, JLR said it had a proven track record in developing the future generation of engineers, buyers, marketeers and financiers needed to support its ambitious growth plans.
One such graduate is Cora Moffat, who is about to begin her second year of the programme working in Chassis Development. She said: “During my first year on the graduate programme I have been able to use the engineering knowledge gained at university in a real business environment. From early on in the scheme I have been given a role with real responsibility and I can see how decisions I make influence the company.
“I love the variation in my job role. No two days are the same and I am given the freedom to develop my skills in many areas with the support and encouragement of my colleagues. It has been a great year and I look forward to the next.”
During their first day with the company the graduates took part in an in-depth introductory programme where they met with members of the JLR Board, familiarised themselves with the latest vehicle line up and had a glimpse at some of the products of the future. They also received an inspirational speech on teamwork, commitment and leadership from Performance Director of British Cycling and Team Principal of Team Sky, Sir David Brailsford.
He is credited as one of the principal architects in transforming Great Britain’s track fortunes over the last decade. Under his leadership Team GB has become the most successful track cycling team in modern history with numerous victories at the Athens, Beijing and London Olympics.
