JLR launches lifelong learning academy
Jaguar Land Rover has launched its Academy, the first of its kind in the UK automotive sector.
The new Academy will offer all Jaguar Land Rover workers the opportunity to take part in continuous development programmes to enhance their careers and provide the skills the company needs.
With an annual learning and development outlay of £100 million, Jaguar Land Rover invests heavily in skills. The creation of the Academy gives renewed focus to that investment and will deliver improved skills for the long-term by strengthening the links between training and business needs. All training provided through the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will meet quality levels defined by a recognised and standardised accreditation process.
Commenting on the launch, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, 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.’
Skills Minister, Nick Boles, praised the initiative stating, ‘Launching the Jaguar Land Rover Academy will ensure the industry has the skills it needs 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.’
The Academy will offer training for employees at all stages of their working lives with Jaguar Land Rover, whether they are new recruits or more experienced employees seeking to move to the next level in the organisation. This “Lifelong Learning” will follow a structured plan that is 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 Jaguar Land Rover.
From the outset, learning opportunities available through the Jaguar Land Rover Academy 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.
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.
Chairman of WMG, Professor Lord Bhattacharyya commented, ‘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.’
The company also plays a lead role in facilitating the development of the supply chain skills that are vital for the UK automotive sector’s continued success. As part of Jaguar Land Rover’s vision for the Academy, its growing supplier upskilling programmes, retailer apprenticeships and other aspects of the company’s wider skills outreach will also be included in the curriculum.
