JLR plans welcomed by University

supporting the company through various initiatives.

The development, which is expected to take up to two years, will be on the i54 business park in Wolverhampton. It is believed the engine plant will employ hundreds of people.

Professor Ian Oakes, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said the move was a great boost for the region and would provide many opportunities for business engagement.

He said: “The University is in discussions with a number of organisations in relation to how we can support the JLR development.

“We are very excited about the potential for working with JLR and the opportunities it will create for the institution and our students and graduates.”

Professor Oakes said that it was too early to confirm any definite projects yet but there were lots of opportunities ahead.

He added the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Technology (STech) has expert staff in engineering and manufacturing, with strong commercial backgrounds, and looked forward to working with JLR in a number of capacities.

The University has closely collaborated with Wolverhampton City Council on the i54 project, and hopes to be able to extend successful activities to JLR similar to those already being delivered by STech for local Aerospace Companies: HS-Marson, Goodrich, Timken and Moog. Moog are currently building a factory of the future on i54.

Some of the ways the University could support JLR include:

- Bespoke staff development programmes (in collaboration with further education institutions) delivered in house using a mix of face-to-face and web based delivery. The curriculum could be developed specifically to meet JLR needs using a possible dedicated on-site training facility.

- Collaboration in a proposal for a Technology Innovation Centre at i54.

- Supply chain development programmes, both technical developments and staff developments. Making use of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Innovation Vouchers as well as Best Practice Networks with other Black Country manufacturing sectors (e.g. aerospace).

- Supply of Modern Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships, Undergraduate placements, Graduate internships and Graduate employees.

- Bespoke research and development incorporating a dedicated MPhil/ Ph.D programme. Possible areas could include manufacturing process improvement/ new product development/ new materials & testing.

- New technology horizon scanning.

- Use of Business Solutions/Visualisation Centre facilities for problem solving and remote collaboration.

ENDS

For more information please contact Emma Pugh in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.