Jaguar Land Rover opens search for over 200 apprentices in 2016

• Jaguar Land Rover opens search for over 200 apprentices in 2016
• A record 245 Advanced and Degree apprentices joined the company in 2015; 900 over the past five years
• Skills Minister praises Jaguar Land Rover for backing the next generation of British talent
• Apprentices “learn and earn” with sponsored degrees and NVQs
• Opportunities in the Midlands and North West
• New Jaguar Land Rover Academy offers recruits the chance of lifelong learning through their career with the company

Jaguar Land Rover has launched its recruitment drive for over 200 apprentices to join the company in September 2016.  The Government’s Skills Minister, Nick Boles, praised the UK’s largest automotive apprenticeship provider saying:

“Jaguar Land Rover is playing a leading role in backing the next generation of highly skilled workers. Their new apprentice intake will learn highly sought after skills whilst benefiting from earning a wage and some will even gain a degree.

“Jaguar Land Rover recognises the value apprenticeships bring to their business and productivity, this is why we are committed to delivering 3 million quality apprenticeships by 2020.”

Jaguar Land Rover is the largest apprenticeship provider in the UK automotive sector, currently accounting for approximately half of the total apprentices employed in that industry.  Applicants can choose from either the four year Advanced Apprenticeship aimed at GCSE students, leading to qualifications that include NVQ3; or the six year Degree Apprenticeship aimed at A-Level entrants and leading to a fully sponsored BEng degree in Applied Engineering from the University of Warwick.   

Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover's Engineering Director, is an inspirational role model for those considering an apprenticeship with the company.  Having joined Jaguar Land Rover straight from school as an apprentice, Nick went on to gain a degree in mechanical engineering and has risen through the company to his current position in charge of over 8,500 engineers and a place on the company's executive committee.  Reflecting on the apprenticeship scheme, Nick said:

“There has never been a better time to join Jaguar Land Rover as we continue to grow on the global stage.  We want to meet the next generation of engineers who are going to change the car industry in the next thirty years.  The Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeship programme offers a great mix of on-the-job experience and learning.  In order to continue our success, we are investing in the next generation of problem solvers, creative thinkers and future leaders.  Our engineers make the impossible possible.  Passionate, inquisitive and open-minded candidates are encouraged to join us and help shape the exciting future of Jaguar Land Rover."

Britain’s 2015 Apprentice of the Year is Alex Tomlinson, a fourth year Powertrain Degree Apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover's Whitley engineering centre in Coventry.  Further evidence of the company’s determination to find the very best apprentices, Alex was also named overall Best of British Engineering by sector skills council SEMTA.  Alex said: 

“When I discovered Jaguar Land Rover ran a degree apprenticeship, it seemed too good to be true and I applied like a shot.  Not only is there the opportunity to gain sought-after qualifications without ending up with student debt, but you are paid at the same time.  It is much more suited to my style of learning – I can apply what we are being taught in the real world. And it is a huge bonus to be surrounded by people with many years of workplace experience who are keen to share their knowledge.”

The start of the 2016 recruitment campaign follows hot on the heels of the 2015 intake of 245 apprentices, who joined the company in September.  With some 900 advanced and degree apprentices having started their career with the company over the past five years, this year’s recruits were the first to start their training as part of the newly-launched Jaguar Land Rover Academy.  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.  Reflecting on the launch of the Academy and the start of the recruitment of apprentices, Kirsty Scott, HR Director, Organisation and Talent Development, said:

“We are investing heavily in employing and developing the highly skilled people that will help ensure our continued success.  Our Jaguar Land Rover Academy gives focus to that investment and we are proud to be leading the industry in this field.”

To apply for an apprenticeship go to: http://www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/jlr-roles/future-talent/apprentices/      

Applications are now open.  The closing date is 31^st December, 2015.

Land Rover announces its support of the Born Free Foundation’s Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme.

• Land Rover has announced its support of the Born Free Foundation’s Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme (SLTP) protecting the Bengal tiger in India
• Land Rover’s all terrain off-road capability has played a vital role in enabling workers to reach otherwise inaccessible areas
• Collaboration has allowed SLTP partners to promote environmental sustainability
• Land Rover’s continued support has been demonstrated through collaborative launch of automotive journalist Bob Rupani’s ‘Tracking the Tiger’

Land Rover has announced its support of a collaborative tiger conservation project. The project works with the government and communities across the Satpuda landscape to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat throughout Central India.

By supporting the Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme (SLTP), Land Rover continues its global partnership with the Born Free Foundation, one of the key partners of the SLTP which established the Programme with the University of Oxford’s WildCRU ten years ago.

Of the 2200 Bengal tigers in India, at least 350 are in the Satpuda Hills. The Satpuda forests of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra offer the best hope for saving the Bengal tiger in the wild. With a network of seven Tiger Reserves connected by forest corridors, this is the largest block of tiger habitat in India.

The Born Free Foundation, in partnership with Oxford University’s WildCRU, is restructuring existing projects into a network of Partners operating across the landscape, funding their specific needs and developing better communication between them.  This ensures limited resources are maximised and targeted to protect wildlife and meet the most urgent needs of the people that live close to tigers.

This collaborative approach is implemented by a highly-motivated team of Indian conservationists who are responsible for carrying out SLTP’s various activities. These include the promotion of the needs of Bengal tigers by focusing on healthcare.

In the last year the SLTP has educated over 16,000 children in environmental issues and delivered health services to over 15,000 people living in rural villages. They have also brought legal opposition to environmentally damaging projects that has succeeded in influencing – and in some cases, stopping - their implementation. This supports their efforts to promote environmentally sustainable livelihoods.

Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said:

“This incredible project allows us to cement our strong relationship with the Born Free Foundation to help protect the Bengal tigers and their surrounding communities.

“By working with the SLTP partners we can underpin key conservation strategies across the landscape with healthcare and education programmes to spread the key conservation messages across the tiger reserves. This collaboration with the SLTP partners and local communities is crucial to ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of the tigers, and the people who live close by.

“The project’s Land Rover vehicles with their all-terrain capability have played a vital role in supporting this programme, enabling the team to reach areas which would otherwise be inaccessible and safely deliver personnel and equipment into, and out of, the most challenging situations.”

Last month Land Rover collaborated with the Born Free Foundation to launch a book that tracks tigers across the Indian landscape.

This book, ‘Tracking the Tiger’, has been written and crafted by respected auto journalist and wildlife lover Narayan (Bob) Rupani. It is a celebration of the beauty of India’s wildlife and an authentic 50-day journey around the country’s tiger reserves.

USA - Land Rover at the Los Angeles Auto Show, The best 4x4xFar.

• Land Rover Discovery Sport will make its U.S. debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.
• Land Rover will debut its 2015 model year line up at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Also, making its U.S. debut will be the new Discovery Sport, a versatile premium compact SUV that is the first member of the new Discovery vehicle family.

2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The 2015 Discovery Sport will deliver a highly refined combination of performance, safety and efficiency thanks to a body shell of high-strength steel and lightweight aluminum, a 240hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. A dynamic design with a compact footprint provides optional seven-passenger seating in a "5+2" configuration.

This U.S. debut marks another significant milestone in the product offensive for Jaguar Land Rover which will see the company deliver 50 significant product actions over the next five years. New Land Rover innovations debut in the Discovery Sport, including available Autonomous Emergency Braking³ and a new touchscreen infotainment system⁴. Pricing will begin at $37,995²_.

2015 Range Rover

Following the 2014 debut of the most luxurious Range Rover variants ever, the long-wheelbase model and the Autobiography Black, the Range Rover gains further enhancements for 2015. The long-wheelbase version is now also available in the HSE trim; in its introductory year, it was available only in Supercharged and Autobiography variants. 

The long-wheelbase Range Rover models have 7.3-inches more rear seat legroom than standard-wheelbase models and when equipped with the optional executive seating package, an increased seatback recline of 17 degrees. Pricing starts at $83,495².

2015 Range Rover Sport

The new-generation Range Rover Sport, which already established its performance credentials by setting a record for SUVs climbing Pikes Peak (12 min, 35.61 sec.), generates even more excitement for 2015 with the introduction of the ultra-performance Range Rover Sport SVR model. 

Created by the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations team, the 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR is the highest-performance Land Rover vehicle ever, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and achieving an electronically limited top track speed of 162 mph². The SVO team also specially tuned the ZF® 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive chassis to give the Range Rover Sport SVR exceptional agility while also preserving all-terrain capability.

Developed alongside the new-generation Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport delivers exceptional on-road dynamics with genuine Land Rover all-terrain capability. The Range Rover Sport presents an assertive and muscular exterior, luxurious interior, and the practical flexibility provided by the option of 5+2 third row seating for occasional use. Pricing starts at $63,525².

2015 Land Rover LR4

Land Rover, which last year re-powered the LR4 with a new supercharged V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, for 2015 has equipped this full-capability luxury SUV with available Land Rover InControl^®Apps and smartphone integration⁴. The new system brings the familiarity of compatible smartphone apps into the vehicle, with access from a connected phone through the standard touchscreen. 

The 2015 LR4 also adds the convenience of new standard side steps, and a choice of two different 4WD systems introduced for 2014 continues in the 2015 LR4. Pricing starts at $50,400².

2015 Land Rover LR2

The 2015 Land Rover LR2 will offer two special Value Edition packages and a special-value audio upgrade. Unique in the compact luxury SUV segment, the LR2 offers the brand's renowned off-road capability in a vehicle that provides outstanding on-road ride comfort and agility. 

The combination of full-time intelligent four-wheel drive and the renowned Land Rover Terrain Response^®control system gives the 240hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and six-speed automatic transmission the ability to take trails unsuitable for some luxury crossovers³. 

Standard amenities in all LR2 models include grained leather seating with an eight-way power driver's seat and six-way power front passenger seat, along with a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. Pricing starts at $36,660².

2015 Range Rover Evoque

The Range Rover Evoque, which gained advanced new driveline technologies and driver assistance features for 2014, enters 2015 with available Reverse Traffic Detection on vehicles equipped with Blind Spot Monitor, and adding Perpendicular Park to vehicles with Advanced Park Assist³. The compact Range Rover Evoque stays true to the core brand values by providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and multi-terrain capability. 

Available in five-door and coupe versions, the Range Rover Evoque provides generous interior legroom and headroom, a practical trunk, plus highly capable off-road geometry and ground clearance. Pricing begins at $41,100² for the Five-door Range Rover Evoque and $45,100² for the Range Rover Evoque Coupe.

InControlApps^TM - the ultimate for in-car connectivity

Jaguar Land Rover has announced the first wave of third party apps for its innovative new smartphone integration platform - InControl Apps™ - which has been developed in conjunction with BOSCH SoftTec.

Jaguar Land Rover has worked closely with leading third party app developers to enable an initial suite of Android™ and iOS™ compatible applications that will greatly enhance the in-vehicle user experience for customers⁴.

¹ All figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage may vary.

² Price shown is MSRP. Excludes $925 destination and handling charge, taxes, title, license, retailer fees and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for details.

³ These features are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc.  Driver should not assume that these features will correct errors of judgment in driving.  Please consult owner's manual or your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for more details.

⁴Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Do not operate, adjust or view the navigation or multimedia systems under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Only use mobile phones and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so.

WORLDWIDE SALES - JAGUAR LAND ROVER - Minor dip in October, but still way up YOY

• In October Jaguar Land Rover retails 33,512 vehicles, down 2%
• Calendar year-to-date Jaguar Land Rover sells 384,665 vehicles, up 11% year-on-year
• Calendar year-to-date Jaguar sells 68,597 vehicles, up 8%
• Calendar year-to-date Land Rover sells 316,068 vehicles, up 11%

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles delivered positive sales performance year-to-date, retailing 384,665 vehicles, up 11% versus the same period last year. During October, Jaguar Land Rover has sold 33,512vehicles, down 2%, largely reflecting production scheduling factors.

Commenting on the October performance Andy Goss, Jaguar Land Rover Group Sales Operations Director said:  "During a competitive year for premium car sales, I am delighted to see strong demand for our products and that we are still performing well across many of our key markets.Calendar year to date Jaguar Land Rover has delivered solid growth, up an impressive 11% versus last year." 

Jaguar Land Rover's regional performance calendar year-to-date shows 35% growth in the China Region, 18% in Asia Pacific, 6% in the UK and 4% in North America and in Europe, with other overseas markets 1% down.   Retails in the month of October were as follows:  Asia Pacific up 22%, the UK up 4%, the China Region up 3%, and Europe in line with prior year. Sales overseas were down 4% for the month and, in North America, sales were down 19%.

Land Rover delivered 28,149 vehicles in October, down 1%.  Calendar year-to-date sales reached 316,068 vehicles, up 11% year-on-year on the back of continued strong customer demand particularly for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

Jaguar sales in the month of October retailed 5,363 down 7%. Calendar year-to-date sales were up 8% year-on-year, retailing 68,597 vehicles, with the F-Type continuing to drive sales and raise brand awareness around the world.

Jaguar land Rover posts yet more improvements in sales, margins and income.

• Solid second quarter performance
• Retails 110,781 vehicles, up 8%
• Revenue £4,808 million, up £196 million
• EBITDA £933 million, up £124 million.  EBITDA margin 19.4%
• Profit Before Tax £609 million

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc has today reported its second quarter results for the 2014/2015 fiscal year.

Retails in the quarter increased 8% year-on-year to 110,781 vehicles, reflecting continuing strong global demand for the Jaguar and Land Rover line up, particularly the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and the Jaguar F-Type.  The sales volumes generated £4,808 million of revenue in the quarter, up £196 million year compared to a year ago.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation(EBITDA) were £933 million for the quarter, up £124 million from a year ago with an EBITDA margin of 19.4%, reflecting the strong sales and favourable product and market mix.  Profit Before Tax was £609 million, down £59 million, due to the effect of revaluation of foreign currency debt and hedges. 

Commenting on the results, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ralf Speth said: "Jaguar Land Rover continues to deliver solid performance and invest in its sustainable future to deliver to its customers special products and experiences that they love for life.  

These include our latest two landmark models that go on sale in 2015:  the breakthrough mid-sized Jaguar XE sports saloon and the highly versatile Land Rover Discovery Sport compact premium SUV.”

Jaguar Land Rover First To Market With justDrive™

Jaguar Land Rover First To Market With justDrive™ - An Industry Leading Smartphone App And Platform For In-Car Connectivity

• Jaguar Land Rover announces next stage of its award-winning InControl infotainment and connectivity platform
• Silicon Valley’s CloudCar develops voice-activated multi-purpose app, justDrive, for use in Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles within company’s proprietary inControl Apps system
• Using one of the most advanced voice recognition packages in the world, justDrive offers the driver a unified, voice-enabled interface with a wide variety of apps and services including Spotify, Twitter and Yelp
• Jaguar Land Rover opens its first overseas R&D facility in Portland, Oregon, to develop future infotainment and connected car technologies

Jaguar Land Rover has announced the launch of justDrive™, an industry-leading app technology that integrates multiple smartphone apps into a single, voice-activated in-car experience.

Developed by Silicon Valley-based CloudCar™, Jaguar Land Rover has optimized justDrive™ for its InControl™ platform for both Apple iOS8 and Android phones. ‘justDrive for Jaguar Land Rover’ integrates popular apps and services, such as Spotify, Twitter, Yelp and others, to give Jaguar and Land Rover drivers an unprecedented level of connectivity for navigation, media, social interaction, voice search and information services while minimising driver distraction.

justDrive will join 17 other apps including Stitcher, IheartRadio and Parkopedia currently in Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl Apps in-car infotainment system. Free to download, justDrive is available from early 2015 and offers drivers continuously updated apps and services throughout their vehicle ownership.

Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our InControl system already allows the driver to plug their smartphone into the vehicle and then safely control their apps through the vehicle’s touchscreen. The apps areenhanced for in-car use, so it is exactly like having your smartphone installed in your dashboard.

“Today, we areadvancing our InControl system a stage further and to the forefront of the industry with the launch of justDrive. This moves the driver from the task-oriented, app-specific touch-based use of individual apps, to full control of all chosen app content through plain natural speech or touch interface.”

justDrive uses one of the most advanced plain speech recognition packages in the world, so customers can communicate naturally with their car, rather than using simple syntax commands. justDrive’s intelligence takes care of finding the best results for a user’s request from among the many applications and services that it has aggregated. So instead of the driver having to specify which navigation provider to search for when looking for the closest gas station, they can simply ask justDrive for directions.

The driver can dictate and then send a tweet or SMS by simply saying: ‘Tell George I’ll be late’, with justDrive reading the content of the message back to you before it is sent. You can also ask justDrive to play a particular song, just by asking for it.

“While our aim is to significantly enhance the driving experience through unprecedented levels of connectivity, we also want to reduce driver distraction. So we have worked closely with the CloudCar team to ensure justDrive is ‘right for driving’,” added Dr Epple. “Using speech as a key enabler, together with justDrive’s simple and clean user interface, means we only show essential information to help create a safe, non-distracting driving environment.”

New technology research centre opens in Portland

To support the development of other future innovative infotainment technologies, Jaguar Land Rover has opened its first overseas R&D facility in Portland, Oregon.

The $3m (£2m) Open Software Technology Center will focus on the development and application of advanced connected technologies and will help lead the development of future Jaguar and Land Rover infotainment systems.

The 15,000 sq.ft facility features a multimedia creative suite, innovation spaces, a development laboratory and a six-bay vehicle workshop. It employs a team of around 30 infotainment specialists, including 16 highly experienced software engineers.

Dr Epple said: “Our new Open Software Technology Center will create many more opportunities for Jaguar Land Rover to collaborate with some of the most innovative and ground-breaking technology companies in the world.

“Not only will the Portland team augment the skills of our 240-strong team of infotainment engineers in the UK, but they will develop and lead research projects with large and small technology companies up and down the West Coast. We want to help guide the technological direction these innovators are taking as they help us develop exciting new in-car experiences for our customers in the future.”

Jaguar Land Rover launches 2015 Apprentice recuitment campaign.

• Jaguar Land Rover launches its 2015 apprentice recruitment campaign in search for up to 200 new recruits
• Apprenticeships include fully-funded degrees and NVQs
• Jaguar Land Rover rated Top Employer for School and College Leavers
• More than 620 students currently “earning and learning” with the country’s largest premium automotive manufacturer
• 193 Higher and Advanced Apprentices joined the company in 2014
• Skills Minister, Nick Boles, praises Jaguar Land Rover for its support in the development of Trailblazer apprenticeship standards

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s largest automotive apprenticeship provider, today launches its 2015 apprenticeship recruitment campaign.  The company, which has been rated Top Employer for School and College Leavers 2014 – 2015 by ‘All About School Leavers’, is looking for up to 200 new recruits to join the 620-strong group currently undertaking the scheme across its six UK sites.  

Jaguar Land Rover currently accounts for approximately half of the total apprentices employed in the UK automotive OEM sector.   

The award-winning Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeship programme provides students with a strong blend of real world experience and academic learning.  Applicants can choose from either the four year Advanced Apprenticeship* aimed at GCSE students or the six year Higher Apprenticeship** aimed at A-Level entrants.  In both cases, recruits can look forward to working in cutting-edge product development and manufacturing environments developing vehicles for two of the most iconic global motoring marques.

Noor Owarish joined Jaguar Land Rover as a Higher Apprentice in September 2014.  One of 193 new apprentices in the company’s 2014 intake, Noor will be working in powertrain engineering at the Whitley engineering centre. 

Commenting on the scheme Noor said: "Jaguar Land Rover has given me an amazing opportunity to work alongside class-leading engineers whilst studying for a fully-funded BEng Degree at Warwick, which is one of the country’s most renowned universities.  We apprentices have joined a growing, globally-respected company and I am excited about the career opportunities at Jaguar Land Rover.”

Lauren Quinn is an Advanced Apprentice at the company’s new £500 million state-of-the-art Engine Manufacturing Centre, which was formally opened by Her Majesty The Queen last week.  In the final year of her apprenticeship, Lauren has seen the plant being built from the ground up.  

Reflecting on her experience she said: “I feel very proud to be working for Jaguar Land Rover and have learned so much during my first years with the company and at college.  The icing on the cake was being there when our brand-new facility was opened by The Queen.”

Commenting on the launch of the apprentice recruitment campaign, Mike Wright, Executive Director Jaguar Land Rover said: “We are investing significantly in the future of Jaguar Land Rover, transforming the business and both brands with the expansion of our facilities in UK and overseas, as well as the development of the next generation of class-leading products.” 

He added: “Just as important is our investment in developing the next generation of engineers and innovators to help our business achieve its ambitious growth plans.  Our apprenticeships continue to attract the highest calibre of people interested in combining paid employment with fully-funded vocational qualifications.  As the largest apprenticeship provider in the UK automotive industry, we are delighted to have been ranked as top UK employer across all sectors for school and college leavers 2014 – 2015 by All About School Leavers.”

Jaguar Land Rover’s experience of developing industry-leading apprenticeship programmes has enabled the company to play a key role in supporting the Department of Business Innovation and Skills on its Trailblazer initiative, chairing the design of UK apprenticeship standards and assessment approaches for the automotive sector to make them world class. 

Commenting on the company’s contribution, Skills Minister Nick Boles, said: “I congratulate Jaguar Land Rover on their involvement in designing seven new apprenticeship standards and welcome those apprentices who have now begun working on these. 

Through working in collaboration with their industry partners as part of the Trailblazers initiative, Jaguar Land Rover is giving people the skills our businesses need to grow and compete.”

To apply for an apprenticeship at Jaguar Land Rover go to:

http://www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/jlr-roles/apprentices/

Applications are now open.  The closing date is 31^st January, 2015.