'As with all Cohort Leads my job is 100% focused on supporting apprentices'
Cohort Leads are a support for the apprentices that sit between the colleges and JLR managers. Natasha supports the Level 3 apprentices based in Halewood.
What is your role at JLR and how long have you worked here?
I am an Early Careers Cohort Lead supporting L3 Advanced Apprentices based at Halewood, Liverpool, I started in October 2023.
What can Apprentices expect in their first few weeks at JLR?
New apprentices can expect an engaging and informative induction week. This year we expect that our Level 3 apprentices will spend a day with their College/Training Provider where they will be studying and then join other Early Careers cohorts at Corporate Induction at Silverstone and a Programme Induction at Ashorne Hill in Warwickshire. Early Careers will arrange coaches from key locations where they will get to meet other apprentices and their Cohort Lead. As my apprentices are based in Halewood this gives us a few hours to get to know each other. The Corporate Induction will provide an overview of JLR as a business and what we expect from our apprentices, and the Programme Induction will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the apprenticeship journey and what can be expected from their Cohort Lead and the Early Careers team. I always receive really positive feedback about this induction in terms of the information that is shared but also the opportunity to bond with the Early Careers team and other apprentices.
Tell us more about the support available to Apprentices.
As with all Cohort Leads my job is 100% focused on supporting apprentices, this is in addition to JLR managers/mentors and also teachers at the apprentices College/training provider. Apprentices regularly see their Early Careers Cohort lead for focus groups and one to ones especially in year 1 when they are based predominantly at their place of study. In addition, Cohort Leads send quarterly feedback surveys to help them keep fully informed with how apprentices are feeling and if there are any aspects of their apprenticeship that can be improved. A key part of my role is to communicate with managers and teachers to ensure I am fully aware of the progress my apprentices are making which enables me to prioritise my one to ones. Cohort Leads act as a bridge between college/training centres and JLR managers and mentors.
What’s the more rewarding part of your job?
Without hesitation I can say that it is my interactions with my cohort of apprentices. This is what attracted me to the role, the opportunity to get to know apprentices and support them so they can realise their potential and succeed. JLR are very keen for employees to ‘live the exceptional with soul’ which is another way of saying JLR wants employees to feel happy and fulfilled at work. It is a pleasure to interact with apprentices and be able to improve their experience by working with NWTC (the training centre my apprentices attend) and JLR managers and mentors.
What tips can you give to people looking to apply?
Do your research, I’m sure this will be no surprise to anyone reading this. Make sure you read the job profiles carefully. For L3 apprenticeships in Halewood there are key differences within the different job profiles, an apprentice working as a Toolmaker will have different day to day duties compared to an apprentice working in maintenance. In addition, maintenance apprentices can work on production equipment or site services where they look after infrastructure such as heating and electrics.
Make sure you understand our creators code, this is a set of codes that we really value, think about what evidence you have that demonstrate you will embody these codes as an apprentice. Remember you are not a walking set of GCSE grades, we want to know about your character and personality! It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got work experience think about how you interact with school, family and friends. As part of your research, I would also recommend you visit the Institute of Apprenticeships website and look at the apprenticeship standard you will be doing, this will be very insightful and will give you the assurance you are making the right choice for you.
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect if you get through to the interview stage, the people interviewing you will want you to do well and will expect you to be nervous. Listen carefully to the questions, make a few notes before you answer if that helps you and ask them to repeat anything you haven’t fully understood, be brave and honest