A SUPPORT session is taking place in Halesowen to boost young people’s chances of securing one of the 140 Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeships starting in September.

The event at the Windsor Business Centre, Trinity Point, next Thursday (January 23) is being organised by Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris and aims to give candidates all the information they need to strengthen their applications.

The company’s apprentice manager, Ian Eva, will talk about the apprenticeship schemes on offer and there will also be a chance to talk to some of JLR’s current apprentices about their own experiences.

Jaguar Land Rover is looking to recruit the new apprentices at their sites in the West Midlands, including at their Castle Bromwich plant and the new i54 enterprise zone near Wolverhampton.

Advanced apprenticeships are available in automotive construction, maintenance and manufacturing support for people with five good GCSEs, or equivalents, including maths, English and a science or technology subject – or who expect to achieve those qualifications this summer.

Higher apprenticeships in design, engineering and product design – as well as in finance and purchasing – are on offer for people who have, or expect to get, at least two A Levels or equivalent in maths and a science, technology or engineering-related subject.

Mr Morris, who organised the first Halesowen and Rowley Regis Apprenticeship and Skills Fair last May, called on all those looking to build a career in advanced manufacturing to go to the session.

He said: I am delighted that Jaguar Land Rover have agreed to come to Halesowen and Rowley Regis next week to help young people in the constituency to improve their chances of gaining the apprenticeships they have on offer.

“JLR is one of the best-known, and most successful, engineering companies in the country and have just announced record sales figures and further expansion plans.

“These apprenticeships represent a fantastic opportunity to build a career with a top firm at the forefront of engineering, design and technology and I want those opportunities to go to young people from Halesowen and Rowley Regis.”

The deadline for applications for both JLR schemes is Friday January 31 and more details can be found at www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com.