JLR plans to train 29,000 staff for EV transition by end of 2025

Image: JLR

The headline ambition of the programme is to upskill and reskill 10,000 employees in the UK and 19,000 in other parts of the world, providing them with the skills they need to develop, manufacture, sell and service the brand’s EVs. 29,000 people is the equivalent of 60% of JLR’s workforce.

JLR is notably targeting net-zero carbon emissions from operations, the supply chain and the use of products by 2039. This will, in effect, require a phase-out of new petrol and diesel vehicles. The firm will stop producing petrol and diesel vehicles under its Jaguar brand by 2025. Land Rover, meanwhile, will stop producing ICE vehicles for sale in the UK by 2030, in line with the Government’s ban on new petrol and diesel cars, and will stop producing them globally by 2036.

The priority for JLR under the new Future Skills Programme will be upskilling technicians. It has stated that, while 80% of its franchised retailers globally employ at least one staff member trained in EV servicing, skills gaps remain. “The majority of servicing technicians” are set to receive electrification training within a year.

Other staff groups set to receive training include the data team, automotive engineers and production employees. Production employees “at all levels” of seniority will require upskilling, JLR has stated.

Additionally, JLR is updating its approach to apprentice training to better embed EV skills. Changes will impact new apprentices and those already in training at franchised retailers.

“Our plans to electrify our product portfolio are running at pace, and we are rapidly scaling up our future skills training programme to ensure we have the right talent to deliver the world’s most desirable modern luxury EVs,” said JLR’s executive director for industrial operations, Barbara Bergmeier.

“Developing the skilled global workforces needed to design, build and maintain the vehicles of the future is foundational.”

Earlier this month, JLR confirmed that it had begun upgrading its Halewood factory in preparation for manufacturing vehicles based on its new electrified modular architecture (EMA). An expansion of the body shop is one of the planned changes. The factory will produce pure EVs and plug-in hybrids.

From next year, large UK firms in high-emission industries are set to be legally mandated to produce net-zero transition plans. Such plans should detail how strategy and investment plans are being changed to enable decarbonisation; which mix of processes and technologies businesses will use to cut emissions; and how employees and communities will be supported.