Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is embarking on a recruitment drive to hire 300 new technicians as part of its £15 billion investment plan. The new roles will be focused on production, development, and testing, and will be based at JLR’s Gaydon, Whitley, and Solihull facilities.
The recruitment drive is in line with JLR’s plans to ramp up Range Rover production and accelerate its efforts in future electric vehicle (EV) development. The company aims to increase Range Rover and Range Rover Sport production by 30% with the opening of a new £130 million automated body production facility at its Solihull plant. To support this expansion, JLR is looking to hire 100 maintenance technicians who will operate and maintain nearly 700 robots at the new facility.
These technicians will also receive training to work on a new £70 million body production system that will be used to build the new electric Range Rover. This investment in EV production aligns with JLR’s strategy to transform its Solihull, Wolverhampton engine plant, and Halewood factory into electric vehicle manufacturing hubs.
In addition to the technicians for production roles, JLR is also recruiting a mix of technicians and test engineers for its Gaydon engineering center and Whitley powertrain facility. These professionals will be responsible for testing and developing JLR’s next-generation electric vehicles. The first of these EVs will be the Range Rover electric, set to launch at the end of 2024, followed by a series of electric Jaguars, starting with a 4-door GT in 2025.
The investment and recruitment drive have been welcomed by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, where JLR is based. He sees this as a positive development for the region’s automotive industry and its workforce. Street believes that JLR’s commitment to the region will boost skills, prosperity, and employment opportunities for local people.
The news of JLR’s recruitment drive comes shortly after Tata Group, the owners of JLR, announced plans to build a 40GWh battery plant in Somerset. This move has prompted calls from the leaders of the West Midlands Gigafactory (WMG) project for further government investment in UK battery manufacturing. The WMG project aims to establish a gigafactory in the West Midlands to support the growing demand for electric vehicle batteries.
Overall, JLR’s recruitment drive for 300 new technicians is a significant step towards achieving its ambitious investment plans. By expanding its production capacity and investing in EV development, JLR is positioning itself as a key player in the electric vehicle market. The company’s commitment to the West Midlands region is also commendable, as it will contribute to the growth of the local economy and provide employment opportunities for skilled individuals.
As JLR continues to evolve and adapt to the changing automotive landscape, it is clear that electric vehicles will play a crucial role in its future. With the recruitment of technicians dedicated to EV development and the establishment of new production facilities, JLR is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles. It will be exciting to see how JLR’s investment and recruitment efforts shape the future of the company and the wider automotive industry.