Luxury car manufacturer JLR has successfully trained over 20,000 colleagues and partners in electrification and digital skills, positioning itself for the electric vehicle (EV) future.
As part of its Future Skills Programme, JLR has made significant strides in preparing its workforce for the electrification of its luxury brands.
This initiative is crucial to the company’s Reimagine Strategy, which aims to electrify its luxury brands by 2030 and achieve carbon net zero by 2039.
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Key Training Achievements:
- UK Production Facilities: Over 2,400 manufacturing employees have gained EV skills.
- Retail Partner Technicians: More than 95% of JLR’s 10,000 retail partner technicians are now trained to service next-generation luxury electric vehicles.
- Engineers: Nearly 3,000 engineers have received electrification training.
- Data and Digital Skills: Around 2,500 individuals have been trained.
- Apprentices and Early Careers: Over 4,200 apprentices and early careers employees are currently undergoing training.
With ongoing efforts to transform its facilities for EV production, JLR is also training over 11,000 manufacturing colleagues. The company has further expanded its skills base by opening 950 electrification roles in engineering in FY24.
The JLR Learning Academy, which invests approximately £20 million annually in employee and partner training, leads the Future Skills Programme. Looking ahead, JLR plans to train at least 15,000 more employees across various sectors.
Electrification is not only enhancing skill sets but also creating more opportunities for a diverse workforce. Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) work, EV tasks are often more process-oriented and less physically demanding, making them accessible to a broader range of employees, including those from neurodiverse backgrounds.
Chloe Taylor, a JLR Retail Master Technician, shared her experience:
“The transition to EVs presents lots of learning opportunities, shifting from heavy part lifting to more technology-centred diagnostics work. I hope this shift will encourage more women to follow my path.”
Barbara Bergmeier, JLR Executive Director of Industrial Operations, expressed her satisfaction with the programme’s progress:
“Our plans to electrify our ultra-desirable modern luxury brands are unfolding at speed. Electrification is opening up new opportunities for females like Chloe, who have previously specialised in ICE technology. A diverse workforce brings additional strength to our Reimagine strategy.”
JLR has also launched initiatives to support STEM careers for diverse backgrounds, including a virtual work experience programme with 2,000 enrolments, a schools partnership programme, and using AI to create more inclusive job descriptions.
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