WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) has announced that it has entered an agreement with Jaguar Land Rover to teach up to 600 Jaguar Land Rover employees to degree level in product engineering and manufacturing engineering.

Up to 100 Jaguar Land Rover staff will take up their places as sponsored degree students in October - January this year (2013) and next, studying either product development engineering or manufacturing engineering degrees. From 2014, WMG will also support the degree provision for the higher apprenticeship programme. This means that there will be up to 600 students studying at various stages over the next 3- 4 years.

The teaching will follow two main paths: Manufacturing Engineering or Product Development Engineering. For the higher apprenticeship programme specific modules related to finance, supplier management and other commercially related topics will also be included to support the internal pathways within Jaguar Land Rover. In addition to the normal lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials students will have access to an internet based bespoke “Managed Learning Environment” and will undertake “activity based learning” which will be embedded in the laboratory based part of the programme. WMG and Jaguar Land Rover are working together on curriculum development.

WMG Chairman Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said:

WMG researchers have worked closely for many years transferring the latest technology into the creation of their world beating premium vehicles. We also have long experience in delivering engineering teaching, at a range of levels, to major manufacturers and engineering companies. This new, highly innovative programme will use of WMG’s teaching experience to empower a wide range of Jaguar Land Rover staff with the skills to make best use of their company’s advantage building technology. The programme will be the first of its kind in the UK and will move the goalposts.”

Dr Ralf Speth, the chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover said:

Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious growth plans which can only be supported by innovation in new products, engines and environmental technologies. We are investing in developing the skills of our engineering teams to ensure they have the knowledge and insight to help drive the business forward.

WMG is the perfect partner to help develop our engineering community and I am delighted that so many of our employees will be able to study for a manufacturing or engineering degree at one of the UK’s leading academic institutions.”