OREANDA-NEWS. Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's largest automotive employer, held an event for its UK suppliers this week to share best practices around skills development and addressing recruitment challenges.

The shortage of skilled engineers in the UK is an ongoing challenge and the Royal Academy of Engineers predicts there will be a shortfall of 200,000 by 2020. Whilst Jaguar Land Rover is well-known as an employer with industry-leading programmes to attract the next generation of engineers and technologists to help its technology and engineering-led business achieve ambitious plans for global growth, some suppliers find it more difficult to attract or retain new talent.

During the day, suppliers heard about the company's 'Inspiring Tomorrow's Workforce' traineeship programme, which was developed as part of the company's Responsible Business of the Year legacy. The programme targets young people aged 16-24 and offers them a mix of employability training and work experience in the company's manufacturing plants to prepare them for apprenticeships and other employment opportunities. The course, managed in partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College, has helped 26 young people gain employment since it was launched in November 2013 and is now open to Jaguar Land Rover suppliers looking to support young people and prepare them for future job opportunities.

Suppliers also learnt about Jaguar Land Rover's award winning apprentice programme, which was rated Top Employer for School and College Leavers 2014 - 2015 by 'All About School Leavers'. There are 620 apprentices currently undertaking the scheme across its six UK sites and the company is currently searching for up to 200 apprentices to join the programme next year. The four year Advanced Apprenticeship is aimed at GCSE students whilst the six year Higher Apprenticeship is aimed at A-Level entrants. Apprentices work in cutting-edge product development and manufacturing environments benefitting from paid employment and fully-funded vocational qualifications up to sponsored degrees.

Ian Harnett, Purchasing Director at Jaguar Land Rover commented, "Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for global growth which will see our vehicle volumes increasing over the next few years, providing many opportunities to our supply chain. We have long-term, strategic relationships with our suppliers and are keen to support them in all areas of business. By sharing our best practices in training and developing future talent, we hope to give them a crucial insight into how Jaguar Land Rover addresses these challenges which will help them strengthen their capability and support their business growth."

Heath Cade HR Director from supplier Stadco added, "Stadco has been supplying parts to Jaguar Land Rover for over 30 years and has an excellent working relationship with the company. The Supplier Skills Forum was of particular interest to us as we seek to inspire and employ the most talented people to be part of the future development of Stadco. This event provided an excellent insight into best practice skills programmes from Jaguar Land Rover and its suppliers. This will enable us to maximise opportunities like apprenticeships and graduate programmes to address the skills gaps that Stadco and the automotive industry as a whole is facing."