Strategy & Sustainability Graduate Review
at JLR
Graduate Scheme
Sustainability
Gaydon
Review Submitted: July 2026
Overall Rating
3.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.3/5
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Overview of the Role
3.8/5
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Experience & Company Culture
3/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at JLR?
Not how I pictured it! Most people and teams are nice, and it's great that there are so many different pockets of the business to get involved with, which is one of the huge positives. However, we have been through multiple org. changes and as a result of this have been displaced into teams without any say. The advertisement for the scheme is very vague, so they are technically allowed to do this - but it has not been a 'people first' approach. The various pathways and different graduate schemes are so different, and managed very differently internally.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
I am close to finishing my 5th placement overall across the business - none of these placements have been able to be close to Sustainability or Strategy due to things happening within the business. I have managed to explore different areas of the business, it is amazing to work on projects that have an impact on the world.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
3/5
Depends on where you are - I have had my 'home team' moved three times, across different business chapters, and four line managers, so this makes it difficult to plan placements accordingly for the role you think you will have at the end. I am still unsure on what this will be and we are due to finish next month! Overall, in the individual teams on placement you are able to contribute meaningfully if you have a good manager which thankfully I do!
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
It is quite good for those fresh out of uni - the base salary is more than fair, however there are vast differences between people doing not a lot, and people who are adding a whole lot of value to the business even with limited progression opportunities. There are few perks - the wellbeing side of things is quite good!
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
3/5
In terms of resilience, it's doing a great job! Having already had a career before JLR (older graduate) it is good to see how cross-functional working can be done effectively in a big business, but progression opportunities and training opportunities are not very common.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
3/5
Day-to-day role is fantastic as my placement manager is really good at spotting areas for skill development. Formal training is okay - it is quite basic presentation skills, people skills etc that most should already have. You don't get any qualifications and if the chance to partake in training comes up, it is mostly focused on Engineering.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
2/5
Two stars - one for the buddy I was assigned, who is fantastic, and 1 for line managers. In terms of early careers and HR, in this function, there is a serious disconnect. There is no clear person or function accountable for our area of the Grad scheme, and we are getting announced things with no prior warning or check ins, without us actively having to chase them.
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
Excellent - personal development time is encouraged and most managers are very flexible. It is a nice function to work in as everyone understands work's not all there is to life!
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
4/5
Overall, very good - people are allowed to show up as their true selves. It is inclusive and supportive, with an active effort shown to improve this.
How would you rate JLR initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
4/5
Good! To be expected of a company of this size - think that more needs to be done outside the 'office' places.
How would you rate JLR CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
4/5
They give employees volunteering time to use, and encourage CSR days from teams! It would be great to have more brand-led volunteering opportunities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JLR to a friend?
No
Why?
A big company but not very personal for graduates.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
3/5
Day-to-day, it was vague recruiting anyway. We didn't get the chance to visit JLR in person before accepting the offer, and the interviews are all online and not by people who work for JLR so we couldn't ask specific questions. The actual Strategy and Sustainability scheme though, they shouldn't have even recruited for as we are such a small cohort, with the least amount of security and stability throughout the 2 years scheme.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to JLR?
Really understand what you want out of it before applying and committing. During onboarding, make sure to network and be proactive. Don't be scared of talking to senior people! It's important to be selfish with your placement choices, and understand what opportunities you have.
