Jaguar Land Rover is putting added focus on recruiting ex-service men and women.

The carmaker has pledged an aim to increase the number of ex-military people employed across its global operations to 1000 by 2020 - a five-fold increase on recruitment since 2013.

“As the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer and a growing global business, we have an obligation to advance the skills and capability of the industry, and in doing so, provide opportunities for passionate people to unleash their full potential. That is why we are making it our mission to see the number of people recruited into our business from the military increase significantly in the coming years,” said Ian Harnett, executive director of human resources at Jaguar Land Rover.

“It is fitting that this announcement comes ahead of the Invictus Games, an inspirational event that demonstrates the resilience and dedication of those in the armed forces.  I am immeasurably proud that through our company, and the Jaguar Land Rover Learning Academy, we have been able to give hundreds of ex-service personnel the opportunity to rebuild their lives and careers.”

The 2016 Invictus Games in Florida, USA, is backed by Jaguar Land Rover, which also supported the inaugural games in 2014 in the UK.

Jaguar Land Rover has an ambition to become the employer of choice for those leaving the forces. It said it recognises that skilled and talented people, such as those who have served in the forces, will enable it to deliver long-term sustainable growth.

A significant step in realising its targets is the introduction of a new programme to train and recruit up to 180 veterans across the company’s North American retail network.

This initiative has been developed with CALIBRE Systems Inc.* and is the first major military programme for the company outside the UK.

In the UK, Jaguar Land Rover has recruited more than 200 ex-service men and women since it pledged its support to the 2014 Invictus Games.

Since 2015 more than 30 service personnel have participated in the ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce’ and ‘Wounded, Injured and Sick’ (WIS) programmes with 75% of these finding roles at Jaguar Land Rover.