Jaguar Land Rover launches recruitment drive for 100 new roles in Wolverhampton - set to start at £44k per year

The company says the recruitment drive, which will also see 50 new roles added to its Solihull plant, will support the company's switch to electric propulsion, with the launch of the first all-electric Range Rover due later this year.

The firm says the roles will be based at JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre, on the i54 industrial park in Wolverhampton, where the new technicians will help maintain the machinery used to build battery packs and Electric Drive Units (EDUs) for JLR’s "next generation" electric vehicles.

The factory already employs more than 1,000 people, and last year JLR announced it had spent over £350 million installing equipment to produce battery packs and electric drive units in Wolverhampton as it gears up to launch a range of new electric models over the next few years.

The Solihull roles will maintain state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment essential to the production of Range Rover Electric, the company says.

“Investing in people and the latest technology is at the cornerstone of our Reimagine strategy," said 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.”

JLR says in order to apply applicants require a relevant government approved apprenticeship, or alternatively a Level 3 or above Vocational Qualification relevant to the role such as an NVQ or Certificate/Diploma. Applicants will need to demonstrate "proven experience" within maintenance engineering, having previously performed preventive and corrective maintenance activities.

However if successful, applicants could benefit from a salary starting from £44,000 per year with optional overtime, with some of the roles being shift based and paid at the appropriate incremental shift rate premium.

The Wolverhampton facility, formerly known as the Engine Manufacturing Centre, produces electric drive units and battery packs used in JLR's electric vehicles in line with the firm's aim of becoming an "electric‑first, modern luxury carmaker" by the year 2030. 

Earlier this year, the company lodged plans with South Staffordshire Council to expand production facilities at the i54 plant with a 6,500 square feet extension to the site to provide extra capacity for manufacturing.  

If approved, the proposals will provide an additional parts set-down area and replace the existing 1,200 square metre extension to the west of the site.

"The aim is to develop a design informed by its surroundings, with an emphasis on functionality, carefully considered landscaping and design principles," said the plans. A decision is due on the scheme next month, following the end of the consultation period. 

Speaking at the release of last year's financial results for the group, which showed pre-tax profits of around £2.2 billion, Chief executive Adrian Mardell said the ‘Reimagine’ strategy to turn electric was entering an exciting period.

"We are entering the next exciting phase of our Reimagine strategy which will see us bring to life our modern luxury electric vehicles and deliver an accompanying modern luxury experience for our clients, ensuring we continue to vigorously address the challenges we have encountered in 2024," he said.

“This has been a year of great strategic progress at JLR and I would like to thank our clients, our people, our suppliers and partners for their role in our success.

“The foundation of this performance was the sustained global demand for our modern luxury vehicles, led by our Range Rover and Defender brands, underpinned by a consistent focus on operational improvement."

The first electric car JLR will launch later this year will be Range Rover Electric, set to be built in Solihull and now with 57,000 clients on the waiting list. Also planned to be built in Solihull will be the first of three reimagined modern luxury electric Jaguars, which will be a 4-door GT.