JLR Advances Electrification Training for 20,000 Partners and Colleagues
95% of Global Retail Partner Technicians Now EV-Trained
11,000 JLR Manufacturing Employees in BEV Training
950 New Electrification Roles Opened in FY24
Luxury Brand Electrification by 2030 under Reimagine Strategy
Carbon Net Zero Target by 2039
Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday 30 May 2024: Luxury automotive giant JLR has made significant strides in equipping its workforce with the skills necessary for the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. As part of the company’s ambitious Future Skills Programme, over 20,000 JLR colleagues and partners have been trained in electrification and digital skills.
In detail, JLR has successfully trained:
- 2,400 manufacturing employees in the UK with essential EV skills.
- 95% of its global retail partner technicians, ensuring 10,000 technicians are prepared to service the next generation of luxury electric vehicles.
- 3,000 engineers in electrification technologies.
- 2,500 individuals in data and digital competencies.
- 4,200 apprentices and Early Careers employees are currently undergoing training.
The transformation of JLR’s facilities to accommodate electric vehicle production is progressing rapidly. To support this shift, more than 11,000 manufacturing colleagues are currently receiving electrification training.
In the fiscal year 2024, JLR expanded its expertise further by creating an additional 950 electrification roles within its engineering departments. The Future Skills Programme is spearheaded by the JLR Learning Academy, which invests around £20 million annually to enhance the skills of JLR employees and partners.
Looking ahead, JLR plans to train at least 15,000 more employees across manufacturing, engineering, and workshops. This electrification drive is creating inclusive opportunities, especially for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) work, which involves significant manual labor, EV roles are often more process-oriented, making them accessible to a wider range of employees, including those with neurodiverse conditions.
Chloe Taylor, a JLR retail master technician at Sytner in Northampton, shared her experience: “I began my career as an apprentice working with combustion technology and recently qualified to dismantle high-voltage EV batteries. Transitioning to EVs has presented many learning opportunities, shifting from heavy part lifting associated with ICE vehicles to more process-driven, technology-centered diagnostics work. I hope this shift encourages more women to follow my path.”
Barbara Bergmeier, JLR’s Executive Director of Industrial Operations, commented: “Our plans to electrify our ultra-desirable modern luxury brands are unfolding rapidly. I am thrilled with the pace at which our Future Skills Programme is preparing our talented workforce. We are actively attracting and upskilling a diverse array of talent. Electrification is opening new and more attractive opportunities for females like Chloe, who have previously specialized in ICE technology. The realization of our Reimagine strategy depends on the skills of our people, and a more diverse workforce brings additional strength.”
JLR has also introduced several initiatives to enhance STEM career accessibility for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including:
- A virtual work experience program that attracted 2,000 enrolments in eight weeks, with 31% of participants being women and girls.
- A schools partnership program to inspire students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM.
- Collaborations to attract more diverse candidates to JLR’s Early Careers scheme.
- Utilizing AI to create more inclusive and diverse job descriptions.
