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Jaguar Land Rover degree apprenticeship scheme. A few questions.

Anyone here that is currently a JLR degree apprentice?

I'm currently doing Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Business at AS (and hopefully carry on with all at A2). I'm trying to get 4 A*s, but more likely I will achieve 4 As - which wouldn't be bad either.

I want to do the apprenticeship scheme because the thought of Uni and Uni debt is unbearable to me. I'd much rather gain experience and money, than go the conventional route of being broke and tired. (Not that I judge anyone going to Uni - it's one of the safest and most respected routes).

Anyway, I have a few questions:

Is the degree standard? It's not like some special JLR engineering degree, that only really applies to JLR, is it?

How broadly trained will I be? I'd like to be quite adept in a range of fields (i.e. CAD, electrical engineering, and the actual physical engineering of the vehicles. Obviously I'd have to specialize in a specific field, but i'd still like to be competent in a variety of them).

What are promotion opportunities like? Is it probable that (if my performance in the work place is good) I will be able to get climb the employment ladder to significantly increase my yearly salary (i.e. become team manager of a department, such as manufacturing engineering, after completing the course and earn £50k a year)?

What are job opportunities like, for other companies? Like is the course well respected in the sense that I could change job and do contract work for businesses, or be suitable working for another automotive company - such as McLaren?)

I realise that I have a lot of questions, but i'd greatly appreciate if anyone could get back to me. Thanks so much in advance.
Reply 1
Is the degree standard? It's not like some special JLR engineering degree, that only really applies to JLR, is it? http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/prof-ed/undergraduate/ There's the degree

How broadly trained will I be? I'd like to be quite adept in a range of fields (i.e. CAD, electrical engineering, and the actual physical engineering of the vehicles. Obviously I'd have to specialize in a specific field, but i'd still like to be competent in a variety of them).
I've done CAD, business management, project, electronic systems, you get bits of everything. You're with one department for 6 years. I learn more on the job than I do at college/uni

What are promotion opportunities like? Is it probable that (if my performance in the work place is good) I will be able to get climb the employment ladder to significantly increase my yearly salary (i.e. become team manager of a department, such as manufacturing engineering, after completing the course and earn £50k a year)?
I'll be on around that a year after completion, that's without having to succumb to the management tree. You can get a job you like and earn well, or you can climb the tree, which is what the apprenticeship is geared towards, but tbh, most of us on the scheme actually enjoy our jobs, and enjoy doing actual work, so moving on up doesn't appeal

What are job opportunities like, for other companies? Like is the course well respected in the sense that I could change job and do contract work for businesses, or be suitable working for another automotive company - such as McLaren?) I'm in no rush to leave, so couldn't advise on job prospects, although I've had offers via linkedin for job changes already. That said, there hasn't been a cohort of degree apprentices complete the program yet (It's very young)

I apologise that I am asking so much

Hope this helps, it's a similar response to the private message I sent you, but I've popped it in here should anyone search it.
Reply 2
Just to add a bit more as a first year Apprentice.

You will be placed on the Trailblazer course, which isn't specific to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), however it is the apprenticeship scheme you will follow that many other large companies also now do. I think it's only up to third years that have done this scheme, whereas years four and five (no sixth years yet) do a different scheme.

Your at college full time for the first year and then do one day a week at college for the second year, followed by the rest of the apprenticeship block release at Warwick Uni.

You will only do modules relevant to your job role at college, however will get a very basic understanding of everything. For example the Electrical guys are the only ones that do Electronic and Electrical Principles (EEP) (so actual theory behind the electrical stuff rather than just electrons flow around a circuit, you need a ground etc.). This additional module is relevant as it goes towards your foundation degree, as well as the pathway you will be placed on at Uni.

Everyone does CATIA for CAD, which is what is used in plant and is the business version of Solidworks, almost identical just everything is renamed so expect to learn it all again like I did if you were proficient in Solidworks. If your in Body CAD or any of the other CAD departments, similar to EEP for electrical pathway you will go more in depth and do an actual module and be assessed on your CAD work.

Another example is the Manufacturing Processes Unit, only completed by the guys on the manufacturing pathway. You will get a very basic understanding of this in the Materials Unit, so you will not miss out but to a lot of us it's not relevant so we don't need to do it in much depth anyway.

If you have done A Levels you will be covering a lot of the same material therefore it's not particularly hard and there's plenty of time to do any assignments and revision for Phase Tests you may have.

About the pay your final six months in the last year will be the advertised 36.5K, however the Apprenticeship contract is for 6 years but after completion you must work for the company for another three (I believe they only started doing this from this year), Due to this you are only on apprenticeship salary for six years which caps at the 36.5K. After that contract expires you are moved to an engineers contract with an engineers salary, which is 40K+, higher if you become project lead or even higher for management.

I've got no intentions to leave so can't comment on other opportunities, my department is mainly made up from apprentices, so everyone can teach one another. Saying that everyone else is more than friendly enough if you need any assistance, and you can normally have your LL6 (so your manager) and then your LL5 (your managers manager) sitting only a few seats away from you so it's not like your never far away from someone that has a real understanding of their work. (LL1 being CEO).

You will have to pay any tuition fees the company paid out for if you do decide to leave so it's not a case of get up and clear off when you want you really are locked in for six years. After the six years you no longer need to repay but as stipulated in the contract you must work for three further years otherwise you'd be in breach of the agreement.

Just about the specialising, your locked to your department for the apprenticeship contract length, however when you switch over to your engineers contract you have the option to move where you want, you just need to remain working with the company to satisfy the further three years. While your on the apprenticeship contract you can get placements in other departments in your area, so if you're in Powertrain and your placed in the NVH department, you can get a placement in the engine components department.

All I've said here is what I've experienced and been told by people in my department and managers, and a lot of changes have been made this year so it could be different from Tubbz's information as well as what you'd experience next year. (For example a lot of workshop modules have been cut, with the only ones mandatory being milling, turning, fitting and welding. Depending on your pathway you may do one or two more like engine tear down or electrical wiring).

Sorry about grammar and spelling done on phone.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 3
Original post by Jon97s
Just to add a bit more as a first year Apprentice.

You will be placed on the Trailblazer course, which isn't specific to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), however it is the apprenticeship scheme you will follow that many other large companies also now do. I think it's only up to third years that have done this scheme, whereas years four and five (no sixth years yet) do a different scheme.

This is true, as I said, course is very young.

Your at college full time for the first year and then do one day a week at college for the second year, followed by the rest of the apprenticeship block release at Warwick Uni.

You will only do modules relevant to your job role at college, however will get a very basic understanding of everything. For example the Electrical guys are the only ones that do Electronic and Electrical Principles (EEP) (so actual theory behind the electrical stuff rather than just electrons flow around a circuit, you need a ground etc.). This additional module is relevant as it goes towards your foundation degree, as well as the pathway you will be placed on at Uni.

Everyone does CATIA for CAD, which is what is used in plant and is the business version of Solidworks, almost identical just everything is renamed so expect to learn it all again like I did if you were proficient in Solidworks. If your in Body CAD or any of the other CAD departments, similar to EEP for electrical pathway you will go more in depth and do an actual module and be assessed on your CAD work.

Another example is the Manufacturing Processes Unit, only completed by the guys on the manufacturing pathway. You will get a very basic understanding of this in the Materials Unit, so you will not miss out but to a lot of us it's not relevant so we don't need to do it in much depth anyway.

If you have done A Levels you will be covering a lot of the same material therefore it's not particularly hard and there's plenty of time to do any assignments and revision for Phase Tests you may have.

Disregard entirely, you'll be going straight to Warwick uni. The current first years are the last intake to be required to complete the foundation degree for the fact that they've stopped accepting b-tec as an A-Level equivalent


About the pay your final six months in the last year will be the advertised 36.5K, however the Apprenticeship contract is for 6 years but after completion you must work for the company for another three (I believe they only started doing this from this year), Due to this you are only on apprenticeship salary for six years which caps at the 36.5K. After that contract expires you are moved to an engineers contract with an engineers salary, which is 40K+, higher if you become project lead or even higher for management.

This bit in italics is untrue, they cannot hold you to that, and is not legally binding.

I've got no intentions to leave so can't comment on other opportunities, my department is mainly made up from apprentices, so everyone can teach one another. Saying that everyone else is more than friendly enough if you need any assistance, and you can normally have your LL6 (so your manager) and then your LL5 (your managers manager) sitting only a few seats away from you so it's not like your never far away from someone that has a real understanding of their work. (LL1 being CEO).

Again, not strictly true, not all managers hover over you, your manager isn't always in the same office as you, and sometimes, not even in the same building. Would definitely echo that your manager in work needs to be someone you're comfortable talking to though. It's very easy to chat to managers, senior managers, and even above that.

You will have to pay any tuition fees the company paid out for if you do decide to leave so it's not a case of get up and clear off when you want you really are locked in for six years. After the six years you no longer need to repay but as stipulated in the contract you must work for three further years otherwise you'd be in breach of the agreement.

As above, cannot hold you to this as you sign a fixed 6 year apprentice contract.

Just about the specialising, your locked to your department for the apprenticeship contract length, however when you switch over to your engineers contract you have the option to move where you want, you just need to remain working with the company to satisfy the further three years. While your on the apprenticeship contract you can get placements in other departments in your area, so if you're in Powertrain and your placed in the NVH department, you can get a placement in the engine components department.

Placements are a lot easier to acquire in certain departments. Especially in PD, you'll find it a lot easier to move around and see more, whereas in manufacturing, you'll find you're needed in your role a lot more, so they can be reluctant to let you leave.

All I've said here is what I've experienced and been told by people in my department and managers, and a lot of changes have been made this year so it could be different from Tubbz's information as well as what you'd experience next year. (For example a lot of workshop modules have been cut, with the only ones mandatory being milling, turning, fitting and welding. Depending on your pathway you may do one or two more like engine tear down or electrical wiring).

Sorry about grammar and spelling done on phone.


As Jon has said, you get a different feel for what's going on based on where you are placed, and people's experiences on the course are very different, with I would say 99% of people finding it a positive experience.
Very nice insight from Jon, but as I say, a lot of this will change, and may not be applicable, depending on the department you end up in.

EDIT: Replied to Jon's post in the quote, expand it to see
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Tubbz
As Jon has said, you get a different feel for what's going on based on where you are placed, and people's experiences on the course are very different, with I would say 99% of people finding it a positive experience.
Very nice insight from Jon, but as I say, a lot of this will change, and may not be applicable, depending on the department you end up in.

EDIT: Replied to Jon's post in the quote, expand it to see


My goodness, haha. After reading these 3 comments i am so conflicted, hahaha. I hope that it's more like what you are describing Tubbz - your answers were brilliant and i appreciate your in depth respone.

Jon's post has me a little discouraged though... i'll have to wait and see - I still have the rest of the first year and the second year of a levels left!
Reply 5
Original post by OnePrettyFlyGuy
My goodness, haha. After reading these 3 comments i am so conflicted, hahaha. I hope that it's more like what you are describing Tubbz - your answers were brilliant and i appreciate your in depth respone.

Jon's post has me a little discouraged though... i'll have to wait and see - I still have the rest of the first year and the second year of a levels left!

Jon's told you what they tell you during your induction week, and that's not exactly how it turns out.
They tend to be quite strict on first years and then ease up a bit.
But as I said, you won't get the 5 days a week at college that we'e been through.
@tubbz when I was applying this year, the website stated that they accept btec alongside an A level. Should I be worried?
I'm doing an extended diploma in mechanical engineering and A level maths
Reply 7
Original post by CassaNova
@tubbz when I was applying this year, the website stated that they accept btec alongside an A level. Should I be worried?
I'm doing an extended diploma in mechanical engineering and A level maths


If you're doing A Level maths, that may have you covered, it's the lack of A Level maths that appears to be the biggest problem amongst BTEC apprentices, that the jump from assignment based study to exam based studies tends to be a difficult gap to bridge.

If you've made it this far down the application, they're aware of your qualifications, so no, don't worry.
do you get entrance tests
Reply 9
Original post by nicnivina2818
do you get entrance tests

You have to complete some online physcometric tests, and it was suggested that there might be further tests at the assessment centre, although there wasn't when I had my interview. Hope that helps.
Reply 10
Original post by nicnivina2818
do you get entrance tests


So there's round of online testing, and then the assessment centre.

You need your A-Level grades to be eligible for the online testing.

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