JLR announces recruitment of 150 technicians to spearhead electric vehicle strategy

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the recruitment of 150 maintenance technicians in the West Midlands. This effort is part of a broader initiative to transform JLR’s manufacturing capabilities and pave the way for fully electric versions of its vehicles by the end of the decade.

Among the new roles, the company is seeking 50 skilled technicians for its Solihull plant, renowned as a hub for automotive innovation. These technicians will be tasked with maintaining the cutting-edge automated manufacturing equipment pivotal for the upcoming launch of the Range Rover Electric, set to hit the roads later this year.

The remaining 100 positions will be concentrated at JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EMPC) in Wolverhampton. This site is critical to JLR’s UK industrial operations and focuses on producing battery packs and Electric Drive Units (EDUs) that will power the next generation of electric vehicles. Maintaining advanced machinery in this facility represents a crucial step in ensuring the technological prowess necessary for sustainable automotive production.

“Investing in people and the latest technology is the cornerstone of our Reimagine strategy, “commented Nigel Blenkinsop, JLR Executive Director of Industrial Operations.

“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”

As part of this recruitment push, JLR is also escalating its Future Skills Programme, aiming to rapidly upskill its workforce in electrification and digital skills. So far, more than 20,000 JLR employees and partners have undergone training in these vital areas, supported by JLR’s ongoing £3 billion per year investment dedicated to revamping its industrial footprint, vehicle programmes, and fostering innovations in autonomous, AI, and digital technologies.

This significant financial commitment has also enabled the comprehensive transformation of JLR’s manufacturing facilities in Solihull, Halewood, and Wolverhampton, facilitating the production of electric vehicles and their components while still accommodating the manufacturing of internal combustion and hybrid engines.

Meanwhile, the eagerly anticipated Range Rover Electric, which is produced in Solihull, has already garnered considerable interest with a staggering 57,000 clients on the waiting list.