JLR is first manufacturer to back new schools programme

The Indian-owned car maker joined the scheme which promises to offer companies bespoke packages of support to help them link more effectively to schools and young people just days after it was launched by the business education partnership BXL. Called BE Connected. the initiative includes six membership levels designed to provide a structured way of fulfilling social engagement policies and inspiring training opportunities. Les Ratcliffe, head of community relations at Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Quality, work-related education experience has never been so important, raising the awareness of engineering and manufacturing as real career opportunities is key to our investment in the community." With two of its five Education Business Partnership Centres located at main assembly plants in Birmingham and Solihull, JLR has provided over 7,000 visits a year for young people and teachers. BXL CEO John Ling (pictured) said the programme was different in the sense it tapped into existing relationships to provide companies with a structured engagement plan to get the most out of working with schools and young people. "Members enjoy one point of contact and can rest safe in the knowledge they have the best possible route to supporting skills development in their chosen industry, developing their workforce of the future and giving existing staff new personal development opportunities that will benefit the bottom line."