JLR to boost West Midlands workforce for new body shop and EVs

JLR has recently unveiled ambitious recruitment plans in specialist areas as it transforms its manufacturing in the UK to build electric vehicles. The company is in the process of hiring 300 new technicians and test engineers, primarily to bolster Range Rover production and facilitate the development of next generation electric models. 

Among these 300 positions, approximately 100 maintenance technicians will be stationed at JLR’s Solihull plant. Their responsibilities will encompass the operation and maintenance of highly automated, precision production facilities within a newly constructed body shop costing £130m ($165.7m). The facility is designed to accommodate a projected 30% increase in Range Rover and Range Rover Sport production in upcoming quarters. 

The technicians will receive training to operate an additional body production system, valued at approximately £70m. This system will be instrumental in supporting the production of the highly anticipated new electric Range Rover at the Solihull site.

In addition to the roles at the Solihull plant, JLR is actively recruiting around 200 technicians and test engineers to be stationed at its Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Powertrain facility. These individuals will play a pivotal role in the testing and development of JLR’s next generation EVs. All technicians and test engineers involved will undergo specialised training in electrification as part of JLR’s Future Skills Programme. This initiative aims to equip them with essential skills for the production and maintenance of electric vehicles.

Barbara Bergmeier, Executive Director of Industrial Operations expressed her enthusiasm for these developments: “Solihull and Gaydon are at the heart of our global operations, and these roles are an opportunity for talented individuals to be part of our transformation to electrification. I am extremely excited to welcome a new cohort of individuals to develop their skills and join our family of proud creators of some of the most desirable modern luxury vehicles.” 

The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, commended JLR’s commitment to the region: “It’s great news that JLR are doubling down on their commitment to our region with this new announcement supporting the Range Rover and future of Electric Vehicles…The investment JLR is making will boost skills, prosperity, and opportunity for even more families in the months and years ahead.” 

JLR is making significant investments in its UK operations, totalling £15 billion over five years across its industrial facilities and vehicle programs, as well as investment in advanced technology and digitalisation in production and supply chain and workforce development as part of its ‘Reimagine’ strategy. These investments are integral to the OEMs plans for electric vehicle production, including the imminent launch of the new Range Rover BEV, with pre-order availability later this year. Subsequently, JLR will introduce a series of three reimagined modern luxury electric Jaguars, starting with a 4-door GT model to be manufactured in Solihull, UK. 

AMS recently spoke to Barbara Bergmeier, reporting on JLR gearing up for a significant production transformation, with a focus on expanding EV and battery output across its plants. In that interview, Bergmeier comments: “At present no one fully knows how the transformation from ICE to BEV will progress. I believe that production operations with the most flexibility will be the ones that produce the right products. So, it doesn’t help if you have single plants dedicated to single products. It can restrict you with the lifecycle of a single product and makes it hard to optimise. There’s another important benefit to having a flexible line: you create greater stability for the workforce because they are able build multiple model types.” 

In this production evolution, JLR is putting considerable focus on developing flexible, sustainable and resilient manufacturing practices.