Car giant starts recruitment phase

CAR GIANT Jaguar Land Rover has started recruiting for the first phase of 1,700 new jobs to support production of new vehicles.

The company said 500 production staff will be taken on as part of expansion plans at its factory in Solihull, West Midlands.

The carmaker is investing £1.5 billion in the UK and plans to increase its workforce at Solihull to almost 8,000.

Alan Volkaerts, operations director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Our recruitment drive reinforces our commitment to the UK automotive industry which also benefits the wider supply chain and overall UK economy."

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: "Jaguar Land Rover is an advanced manufacturing success story - their recruitment is another boost to our thriving car industry.

"The Government is investing £1 billion jointly with industry to keep the UK at the cutting edge of automotive technology. As part of our industrial strategy, we will continue to work collaboratively to give companies the confidence to invest and create strong growth for the future."

By Press Association reporters