University trio team up at Jaguar Land Rover to support regional economy

Over 70 students from Birmingham City University (BCU), Coventry University and the University of Wolverhampton visited one of the UK’s most important engineering companies as part of a collaboration aimed at supporting regional economic growth and improving student experience.

The universities are working together as West Midlands Combined Universities (WMCU), which is focused on encouraging businesses, staff and students to come together and address local issues impacting the regional economy.

The WMCU is currently tackling skills gaps in key sectors including engineering, built environment and manufacturing.

Following online events over the last 12 months, an event held at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Castle Bromwich plant marked the first in-person initiative delivered through the collaboration, allowing engineering students across the three universities to gain knowledge of the industry from a key regional manufacturer.

Wayne Langford, director of WMCU, said: “West Midlands Combined Universities works collectively to support regional economic growth and student experiences. Strong, effective relationships with leading industrial companies in the region are a core area of activity for the WMCU.

“We are therefore absolutely delighted to see year on year growth and the strengthening of activity between our three Universities and JLR. Working together we will continue to offer innovative and exciting experiences to support JLR to find their workforce of the future.”

Sam Parkin, University Engagement Lead and facilitator of the event said he was  “delighted”  to be able to create an in-person experience as part of our relationship with the WMCU.

The event involved a keynote talk about JLR from Curtis Hilton, director of Castle Bromwich plant operations, who said: “It was great to welcome over 70 students and careers staff from the three universities and we’ve been delighted with the feedback so far.

“Partnerships like the WMCU allow us to inspire students on their future career options and we very much hope to see many of those students gaining a place on one of our programmes in the near future.”

Leading up to the visit, WMCU ran a series of digital sessions designed to encourage and support our students to apply for placements and graduate roles at JLR, channelling students and graduates into skilled employment within the region.

Joanna Birch, director of Innovation, Enterprise & Employability at BCU, said: “Our involvement in the WMCU collaboration is focused on encouraging the cross-pollination of innovations and ideas, ensuring local industries remain future-ready.

"Our students benefit greatly from our collaboration, and we will continue to support the delivery of events and opportunities resulting from this alliance.”

The work ties into the strategic direction of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Local Authorities, National Government, Funding Bodies and key traditional and emerging industrial sectors.

 A number of graduates currently work at JLR from Birmingham City University, University of Wolverhampton and Coventry University, demonstrating the positive impact that companies such as JLR have on the careers of students.