How JLR and Springpod are accelerating futures

JLR is at the forefront of automotive innovation, shaping the future of design, engineering, and sustainability. But beyond their iconic vehicles, JLR is also committed to driving opportunity, opening doors for young people to explore careers in the industry.

In partnership with Springpod, JLR launched an immersive Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programme designed to break down barriers and equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue their dream careers. The result was a programme that has reached thousands of aspiring automotive professionals and generated a lasting social impact.

Why JLR Partnered with Springpod

Before partnering with Springpod, JLR didn’t offer a formal work experience programme. Health and safety regulations, combined with the location of their key site in the Midlands, meant that bringing students on-site wasn’t a viable option at scale. As a result, their ability to engage young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, was limited.

JLR recognised the need to inspire the next generation of talent and build a more diverse early careers pipeline. But they also knew that traditional models of work experience wouldn’t solve the problem. They needed a scalable, accessible solution, one that could showcase the full range of opportunities at JLR, not just the obvious ones.

Through a partnership with Springpod, JLR built a Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programme that brought JLR’s world to life for students across the UK. The programme removed geographic and logistical barriers and provided an engaging, high-quality experience that aligned with JLR’s future talent strategy.

Through the partnership, JLR has been able to:

• Launch their first-ever work experience offering, delivered virtually.
  
  
• Reach a broader and more diverse group of students, regardless of where they live or who they know.
  
  
• Showcase the full spectrum of careers, from engineering and manufacturing to sustainability and design.
  
  
• Gather real-time data and insights, helping them understand impact and improve outreach.
  
  
• Build an engaged early talent pipeline, with students gaining skills and confidence while exploring careers at JLR.

The result is more than just work experience,  it’s a long-term investment in future talent, delivered in a way that’s inclusive, measurable, and future-ready.

The impact: Reaching talent, building confidence, and delivering value  

Since launching their Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programme with Springpod, JLR has created meaningful impact at scale, not just in participation, but in outcomes that matter.

Here’s a snapshot of what the programme has delivered so far:

• £1,468,011 in total social value generated
  
  
• £30.59 Social Return on Investment (SROI) for every £1 invested
  
  
• 5,299 student enrolments
  
  
• 26,495 engaged learning hours
  
  
• 72% of participants from a minority ethnic background
  
  
• 20% eligible for free school meals
  
  
• 4% with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
  
  
• 22% first-generation university students
  
  
• 92% of students reported excellent awareness of automotive careers (up from 53%)

These figures tell a powerful story, not just about reach, but about real change.

The programme has opened up access to students who might never have considered a future in automotive, and helped them build the awareness, confidence and skills they need to succeed.

“Before the programme, I didn’t really know what careers were available at a company like JLR — I thought it was just engineers. Now I know there are so many different paths, and I actually feel like I could work there one day.”
— Virtual Work Experience participant

From the variety of roles on offer at JLR to the pathways into them, students are now better informed, more inspired, and better prepared for what comes next.

This isn’t work experience for the sake of it. It’s a strategic talent initiative,  one that’s making the industry more inclusive, the future workforce more prepared, and JLR’s early careers pipeline stronger than ever.

Hear from JLR’s Global Education Outreach Lead

Morgan Gore, Global Education Outreach Lead at JLR, shared how the Virtual Work Experience programme has become a powerful tool to inspire and connect with young people, especially those who might never have considered a future in automotive.

The partnership, she explains, has helped JLR move beyond traditional barriers, whether that’s geography, limited capacity, or narrow perceptions of what careers in the automotive industry really look like.

“We’ve taken programmes that were small in numbers and this year alone, over 5,000 students have completed one. That’s something we’re really proud of.”

Thanks to Springpod, JLR has been able to:

• Significantly increase the diversity and scale of outreach
  
  
• Showcase the full spectrum of opportunities beyond engineering and manufacturing
  
  
• Give students the freedom to explore different pathways and career areas on their own terms

“Try-before-you-apply courses have removed the pressure for young people to ‘get it right’ straight away, they can explore, compare, and find what suits them best.”

Her advice to others considering a similar approach?

“If you’re thinking of working with Springpod - do it. It opens up doors and helps you engage with audiences you just wouldn’t reach through traditional outreach alone.”

Watch the full video to hear more from Morgan about the real-world impact of the programme.

What’s Next? A Skills-Focused, Global Experience in Year 2

Following the success of the first year, JLR and Springpod have launched a brand-new iteration of the Virtual Work Experience programme, and it's already proving hugely popular with students not just across the UK, but globally.

Now in its second year, the programme has evolved to become skills-led, focusing on several of the key capabilities JLR looks for in early careers candidates. With updated content and a refined structure, this new version helps students actively build the attributes they’ll need to thrive in the world of work.

New for this year is specialist content that spotlights the innovative work taking place at JLR’s Shannon facility in Ireland, giving students a deeper insight into areas such as software engineering, autonomous technologies, and connected services.

As the programme rolls out worldwide, we’re excited to gather feedback from an even broader audience and continue inspiring the next generation of automotive talent, wherever they’re based.

Measuring What Matters: JLR at the Can Impact Be Measured? Webinar

The conversation around impact doesn’t stop at enrolment numbers or hours logged — it’s about real, lasting change. Our recent Can Impact Be Measured? webinar, brought together leading voices in education, business, and social impact to explore how we track and validate real-world outcomes.

Morgan Gore, JLR’s Global Education Outreach Lead, joined the panel to share how JLR is using data to go beyond participation, measuring career confidence, social value, and student transformation. She spoke about the role of partnerships, the importance of targeting underrepresented groups, and why measurement matters more than ever in building inclusive talent pipelines.

If you missed it, the insights are still relevant — especially for businesses looking to embed impact measurement into their outreach strategies.

Watch the webinar recording

Join the Movement: Partner with Springpod

JLR’s success story is just the beginning. If your business is looking to attract, engage, and inspire the next generation of talent, a Virtual Work Experience programme could be the key.

Springpod specialises in helping employers create impactful digital experiences that drive measurable social value. Let’s talk about how we can transform your outreach and make a lasting impact together.