Jaguar Land Rover

Graduate jobs explained

The number of graduate vacancies available at the company varies year on year. Recently, it increased its intake from 135 graduates in 2010 to 336 in 2011. Further expansion by the business is likely to lead to more increases in graduate numbers in the coming years. However, competition for places is fierce; the company reported receiving over 10,000 applications for its 2012 intake, five times higher than in 2009.

The two-year graduate programme usually starts in September each year. Graduates are hired into one of many different roles, in either an engineering or business function.

Engineering functions

Product development and design

This is a massive business area, and includes a large number of different units, each of which comprises various different roles. Departments graduates may join include (among others):

• Product strategy - covers strategic planning functions such as whole life planning, powertrain development strategies, and legislation and sustainability compliance.
• Advanced product creation – engineers in this function develop new concepts for vehicles. It comprises 3 departments: architecture, research and advanced engineering, and concept and package.
• Chassis engineering - this unit focuses on developing and perfecting vehicle suspension, engine mounts, wheels and sub-frames.
• Powertrain engineering - engineers in this function design and develop powertrain systems, engines, transmissions and drivelines.
• Company quality - comprises 4 departments: forward model quality (supporting programme delivery), quality business office (handles quality strategy), the automotive safety office (a regulatory and certification office) and manufacturing quality (provides auditing and compliance).
• Engineered to order - this division designs and produces personalised models, kits and accessories for customers.
• Hybrids - this unit works on low-carbon propulsion systems. Teams include controls and calibration, simulation and modelling, and build management.
• Vehicle evaluation and verification - this unit oversees vehicle quality. Activities include benchmarking, evaluation and testing.

Manufacturing
Slightly less diverse than product development, but no less important, the manufacturing area of the company’s business is made up of four distinct departments in which graduates can train:

• Manufacturing engineering - manufacturing engineers look to improve vehicle quality and efficiency.
• Production engineering - production engineers are closely involved with the physical construction of vehicles.
• Material, planning and logistics - this unit oversees the whole supply chain.
• New model programmes - this division supports all other manufacturing functions, and checks new products meet company standards.
• Power train manufacturing engineering - this function looks for new technologies and manufacturing processes to improve production.

Business functions

• Finance - graduates can be based right across the business, in areas like profit planning, sales or product development.
• Human resources - this covers all aspects of HR, including operational support, recruitment and development.
• Information technology - IT graduates design, develop and manage IT systems used throughout the company.
• Marketing, sales and service - activities may include customer support, brand awareness campaigns, and retail strategy development.
• Purchasing - this function sources materials, products and services, and manages supplier relationships.

National and international travel

While not specifically stated as a benefit of the graduate programme, many of the company’s graduate trainees say they have enjoyed multiple trips to different sites within the UK. Since it is a global business, some graduates have had the opportunity to travel to countries such as Spain, Portugal and UAE for training or work placements – so travel is a possibility.

Future career opportunities

Graduates are hired onto the company’s graduate schemes on a permanent basis, so they are automatically retained in a permanent role at the end of their training (assuming they meet performance requirements). This can be in a variety of different positions, though obviously these will depend largely on the programme and business function. Roles include:

• Business relationship manager
• Electrical/electronic systems engineer
• HR business partner
• Infotainment graphics development engineer
• Supplier development manager
• Vehicle project planner.

Work experience explained

The company runs two main work experience schemes: a three-month summer internship, and a 12-month industrial placement. Based in either the purchasing or product development engineering areas, the placements involve work on major projects – in a range of different functions – from day one.

Product development engineering includes a total of 13 different areas of specialism, including:

• Body engineering
• Design
• Electrical engineering
• Product development operations
• Vehicle engineering and attributes.

Purchasing is focused on the supply chain, and may include activities such as:

• Relationships management
• Sourcing
• Strategy development.

Both schemes are for undergraduates who are on track for a 2.2 or above. The company accepts any degree discipline for the purchasing scheme, but a relevant engineering subject is required for product development engineering placements.

The selection process for undergraduate work experience is much like that for graduate roles: the first step is an online application form, followed by online psychometric tests and finally an assessment centre.

Running dates and locations

While the exact dates may vary, placements are usually at around the same time each year:

• Summer placements: late June to late September.
• Industrial placements: June to June.

Whichever scheme they choose, students will be located in either Gaydon or Whitley, at the sites of the company’s product development centres.

Benefits

While on an industrial placement, students receive:

• A salary of £15,600 per annum.
• 26 days’ holiday per annum.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Access to sports facilities such as a gym and sports hall.
• Structured training.

Benefits for summer interns are along similar lines, but are worked out on a pro-rata basis.

There is also the possibility that work experience can lead to candidates being offered a second placement, or being fast-tracked into the graduate scheme application process. However, this will depend on their performance during the placement, which is assessed via supervisor appraisals. These are carried out towards the end of the placement, and may include an assessed presentation on what has been achieved.

Sponsored scheme

The company also runs two sponsorship schemes in its product development engineering business. One is for students working towards an undergraduate degree in electronic, electrical or systems engineering. The other is for female students on an appropriate engineering course.

Students involved in the programme undertake several summer placements with the company during their degree studies, and potentially a 12-month placement if their course allows. These can be in a number of different engineering areas, and are designed to provide practical experience to complement students’ academic knowledge of the field of engineering.

As well as receiving a salary during their placements, participants will receive a £1,500 bursary each year that they are on the scheme. They also have the chance to be fast-tracked onto the graduate scheme application process when they reach their final year of university.

Training and development

Training and personal development are cited as key benefits of working at Jaguar Land Rover, both by the company itself and by its employees. The company divides its training into three main categories: health and safety, management and leadership, and personal and technical skills. A total of 15,477 training days, covering all three of these groups, were delivered in 2009.

The induction week includes an off-road and race-track day.

As well as receiving approval from the IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) for its graduate technical accreditation scheme, the company has also received recognition for its technical academy, which provides training for apprentices and technicians.

Graduate scheme training

Graduates joining any of the company’s schemes start with an induction week, which includes an introduction to the business, a site tour, and a chance to try out various models on an off-road and race-track day. Throughout the graduate programme, trainees undergo various training courses to hone their technical and business skills. While the training ultimately depends on the role, some of the courses include:

• Software and databases
• Communication skills
• Teamworking.

Many of the schemes also involve rotations in different areas to help graduates gain experience in a range of different roles; for example, graduates on the finance scheme may have placements in profit planning, product development and sales. All graduates also have the opportunity to work on a production line during the programme.

Professional qualifications

As part of their initial training, graduates on all of the company’s programmes work towards accreditation by a relevant professional body, such as:

• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• British Computer Society (BCS)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The company will provide full funding for these qualifications.

Long-term training opportunities

As noted above, there are three main types of training at Jaguar Land Rover, which are available to all employees across the business. Some courses can be accessed online, through a special portal for employees, while others are delivered in person through formal training courses. On-the-job training is also an important part of development, particularly for graduates.