JLR HIRES MORE THAN 1,500 SKILLED EX-FORCES PERSONNEL

JLR this year marks 10th anniversary of signing Armed Forces Covenant

  • The UK’s largest luxury car maker has hired an average of 150 veterans a year since 2014

  • Last year JLR engaged with over 500 service leavers and hired 180 into JLR roles

  • JLR has dedicated armed forces employment support programme

JLR today confirmed it has hired more than 1,500 former armed forces personnel globally over the last decade, as the nation honours Armed Forces Week in the UK.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of JLR signing the Armed Forces Covenant and 10 years of working in partnership with Mission Motorsport, the Forces’ Motorsport Charity, leading to the UK’s largest luxury car maker employing an average of 150 veterans a year

Last year, JLR engaged with over 500 service leavers and hired over 180 former service personnel as part of a programme to help armed forces leavers to find employment opportunities and maximise their transferrable skills.

The transition into civilian life after finishing a forces career can be challenging, as civilian recruiters may not always fully appreciate military CVs and their unique skillsets.

JLR supports veterans by employing a dedicated Armed Forces Engagement Manager, running an Armed Forces Community support network, providing CV and interview advice and offering prospective employees site visits. 

Stephen Lees, JLR Armed Forces Engagement Programme Manager said, “JLR has a rich history of employing people from military backgrounds, actively encouraging and supporting other companies and sharing our experience through the SMMT's Mission Automotive Armed Forces Engagement initiative.

“As well as technical skills many service leavers and veterans have, we also recognise the exceptional project management, leadership and organisational qualities and unique experience military candidates bring. JLR provides a sense of belonging that individuals have held so dear throughout their military service in shared common values and ethos through JLR’s company purpose.”

Through understanding the transferrable skills on a military CV, JLR has successfully hired former servicemen and women with diverse military experience into JLR roles, including:

  • Royal Tank Regiment Captain; JLR Virtual Vehicle Coordinator

  • Major Royal Logistics Corps: JLR Leadership Development Manager

  • RAF Supply Specialist; JLR Operational Risk Manager

  • Infantry NCO (Rifles); JLR Senior Customer Success Lead

  • Royal Navy Weapons Engineer Officer; JLR Platform Lead Engineer

Across JLR there are hundreds of former service personnel with years of military service from board level leaders, to right across the shop floors of the manufacturing and engineering sites. 

Lead Engineer and British Army Veteran Peter Whittenbury comes from a deep-rooted family history in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), both his grandfathers were founding members of the REME. 

Having originally joined up in 1988, Pete went onto serve a full career as a regular soldier in REME until November 2012. Since then, he has served as an Army reservist.

He is now playing a key role in the JLR’s electric future, being responsible for JLR’s Environmental Test Management supporting on all the testing for powertrain and more recently, the new Range Rover Electric.  “It was through one of the many careers events that JLR attends that I managed to get my role within the company and I’ve never looked back. I’ve been able to fulfil my Reservists career alongside my engineering one,” he said.

”JLR has embraced my military background and with policies in place to support my time serving, I’ve found that I ‘ve got the best of both worlds with the added understanding from my employer.”

Read the full JLR press release here


Laura Westrope