Education Business Partnership Centres
There is a national shortage of 20,000 young people per year choosing engineering as a career. In addition, the industry is failing to attract women and members of black and minority ethnic groups in sufficient numbers. Jaguar Land Rover has developed five Education Business Partnership Centres to provide an interactive and practical approach to learning across all stages of the national curriculum and inspire young people to consider engineering as a career.
Activities relate schoolwork to practical situations, and provide an insight into the world of work, in particular the manufacturing industry. A key aspect of the programme is interaction between young people and company personnel to illustrate to students that people from all communities can aspire to work in this industry.
Over 17,500 young people have taken part in activities at the Centres, which has engaged employees in transferring knowledge and experience to students whilst promoting engineering as a career. Jaguar Land Rover were awarded a Big Tick in 2006/7 in recognition of their investment to the community.
Design Challenges
Jaguar Land Rover have led two car design challenges for students to give participants an opportunity to experience an activity that is realistic and relevant to the operations within industry. Both projects aims to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, and inspire young people to consider a career in engineering.
The Jaguar GT in Schools Design Challenge invites student teams to design and manufacture an air powered model GT sports car, with each student taking on a different role reflecting the real life process.
The Land Rover 4x4 Technology Programme brings together teams of 4-6 young people, who are challenged to design and build a radio controlled 4-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicle, to set specifications, which can successfully negotiate a series of obstacles and tasks.
Jaguar Land Rover’s strategy addresses the shortage of females and black and ethnic minorities who may be considering engineering and manufacturing opportunities.
Community partnerships
Jaguar Land Rover has developed a number of long-standing community partnerships. They established the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Forum 12 years ago to support local disadvantaged communities and improve the internal systems and processes the company uses.
The Forum supports the local community through a wide range of initiatives that have helped to raise achievement and improve management in schools, develop the business skills of voluntary sector managers and raise the level of pride in the local community through supporting festivals and other events. The company continues to encourage other companies to get involved and was awarded a Jubilee Big Tick in 2008 in recognition of this work.
The difference in black and white:
- The manufacturer’s commitment to the NSPCC Business Group for 14 years has afforded the opportunity to leverage £2.0m in support of charities, with 60 Land Rovers also being donated to the British Red Cross and a further £10,000 raised by employees.
- The Halewood Skills Club project has engaged 20 other employers in the Merseyside area to deliver a programme of support to every secondary school in Liverpool
- Pay roll giving raised £21.500 from employees matched 1:1 by JLR to make a total of £43.000.
- 17,500 pupils attended the five Partnership Centres
- More than 350 employees formed 25 teams of volunteers to support a variety of community projects totalling 6,200 hours including regeneration of local areas, mentoring young people, charity work and fundraising through CARES in 2008 / 2009
Jaguar Land Rover are advocates for good community investment, demonstrated through their sponsorship of the Building Stronger Communities Category in the 2012 Awards for Excellence.
