Working at Leyland
Leyland Trucks is the UK’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturing business and has established an enviable track record of profit and growth.
The company is a division of the American corporation PACCAR Inc, a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.
Leyland Trucks offers an excellent working environment, competitive salaries and generous benefits.
Employee Benefits
HEALTH SCHEME
The company provides additional outpatients private health scheme benefits to supplement and complement the National Health Service. The scheme provides accelerated access to medical specialists and diagnostic tests including scans and X-Ray services. All employees are enrolled in the scheme on joining the Company.
EMPLOYEE SUPPORT
The Company offers a range of employee support services to assist employees to keep fit and healthy and to support them in times of difficulty. Services include Life Style medical check-ups and advice on diet/health management, rehabilitation – assisting employees back to work after illness or injury and a stop smoking support group. The Company operates a confidential telephone employee assistance facility where employees can get prompt expert advice on a comprehensive range of life issues.
LIFE INSURANCE
The Company provides life insurance cover for its employees who are full participating members of the Company pension scheme, life cover benefits are three times Annual Salary. For employees who do not participate in the pension scheme for retirement benefits, life cover benefit is one times Annual Salary.
COMPUTER PURCHASE PROGRAM
The Company recognizes the benefits which come from employees developing their computer skills for personal or business use. We also appreciate that the purchase of a personal computer entails major expenditure. To help employees with the purchase so that they can develop these skills the Company offers to all employees the facility of an interest free loan of up to £2,000 to purchase a computer and associated equipment. The loan is then repaid over 12 or 24 months at the employee’s choice, through automatic payroll deductions.
OTHER BENEFITS
The Company encourages employees to socialize together to foster team working throughout the organisation. A committee of employees manage and organise a variety of employee trips and events throughout the year. The Company assists by contributing to social committee funds for employees and their families.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company sponsors a final Salary Pension Scheme which is jointly run by Company and employee elected trustees. The scheme provides retirementbenefits including a pension and cash option at retirement. In the event of death the scheme provides benefits for eligible dependants. Scheme members may opt to increase their retirement benefits by contributing to an AVC (Additional Voluntary Contributions) fund.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Training is a ‘cornerstone’ of our business and we place great value on developing people to reach their highest potential. The Company has achieved the national Investors in People standard of training excellence four times since 1995. All new starters undergo a comprehensive induction into the business and training needs are immediately identified and reviewed via the Personal Development Planning Interview. There are a number of formal mechanisms for career development, which include a Mentor Scheme for high potential employees, accredited management and supervisory development programmes, academic courses, technical and vocational training activities, Development Assignments for shop floor employees and a Company Open Learning Centre with hundreds of self-development packages available to all employees.
ASSISTED STUDIES
The Company strongly encourages employees to develop their academic skills and qualifications, and under the Assisted Studies Policy employees are able to study for relevant qualifications at a further or higher education institution with financial support from the Company, provided certain requirements and conditions are met. In order to develop the learning culture and enhance job-related skills, the company also offers a contribution of £100 towards the cost of any course at a local college or education institution. This course need not be work-related and may range from holiday Spanish to cooking or flower arranging; the emphasis being on learning and developing personal skills.
Graduate Development Programme
At Leyland Trucks, we aim to recruit, develop and manage first rate graduate talent. Each year we recruit graduates into various areas of the business: the graduate vacancies for 2007 are listed below:
Manufacturing Engineering: - this 24 month graduate development programme rotates in 6 monthly assignments in key areas such as Business Units, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Materials and Quality.
Materials: - this 24 month graduate development programme rotates in 6 monthly assignments in commercial areas of the business, focusing on Materials; this includes Logistics, Supply Chain and Material Planning.
Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be placed into a substantive position within the specialist area which best reflects their strengths and our business needs.
During each development programme the graduate will be expected to gain professional qualifications awarded by the appropriate Institute relevant to the specialist area, for which they will be fully supported in terms of time off for study and assistance with membership and course fees.
Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS)
The company is accredited by both the IMechE and the IET to offer the MPDS Scheme to graduate engineers, which allows them to complete their professional development within the company in order to become a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
View Case Studies
Student Sponsorship Programme
Leyland Trucks operates a very successful Student Sponsorship Scheme, both for Engineering students and those undertaking Business related degrees for commercial placements.
Engineering Scheme (Product Development & Design)
For the design and development engineers of the future, Leyland Trucks is offering sponsorship for young people who are going to University to study Engineering, normally taking a Masters Degree (MEng). This exciting and innovative programme offers the successful candidates the opportunity to experience working in an advanced manufacturing and design environment for four placement periods during the summer vacation, undertaking real life/real time projects which contribute to the success of the business.
With sponsorship, each student will receive:
- A financial bursary each academic year, currently worth £1,800 pa
- Paid placement and training during each summer vacation
- A qualified industrial mentor
- Support for any major course projects
- Planned offer of employment prior to graduation
- Training and support to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS)
The company is accredited by both the IMechE and the IET to offer the MPDS Scheme to graduate engineers, which allows them to complete their professional development within the company in order to become a Chartered Engineer (CEng). All placements spent in the company are accredited towards MPDS.
To apply for the Engineering Student Sponsorship Scheme students should be expecting A’ level grades of A-C, in a Maths, Science, Technology or related subject and be going to university to study an accredited engineering/technology degree.
Commercial Scheme
New for 2008 is the introduction of a Sponsorship scheme for commercial business areas. We strongly believe that in recruiting local talent early, we can nurture and develop them into future business managers, accountants, purchasing professionals and other key support positions. As with the engineering scheme, the programme offers the successful candidates the opportunity to experience a working placement during the summer vacation, undertaking real life/real time projects which contribute to the success of the business. The commercial placements will be in areas such as Materials, Quality, Purchasing, Human Resources, Finance and PACCAR Parts.
With sponsorship, each student will receive:
- A financial bursary each academic year, currently worth £1,800 pa
- Paid placement and training during each summer vacation
- A qualified industrial mentor
- Support for any major course projects
- Planned offer of employment prior to graduation
- Training and support to become professionally accredited in professional function
To apply for the Commercial Student Sponsorship Scheme students should be expecting A’ level grades of A-C, and be going to university to study a business related degree.
Candidates for both Schemes should be able to demonstrate strong social and communication skills which allow them to work effectively in a team based organisation, along with an innovative and creative thinking style.
Requirements for 2008
| Dept |
Pre- 1st year university |
Completed 1st year |
Completed 2nd year |
TOTAL DEPT |
| Commercial |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
| Manufacturing |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| Product Development |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| TOTAL COMPANY |
6 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
For more information about our student sponsorship programme,
please download the Commercial brochure Or please download the Engineering brochure.
To apply for student sponsorship, send a completed application form to:
Human Resources,
Leyland Trucks Ltd.
Croston Road,
Leyland,
Lancashire,
PR26 6LZ
UK
Email ltrecruitment@leyland-trucks.co.uk
View our Student Case Studies
Training
Leyland Trucks Training & Development
At the heart of Leyland Trucks/PACCAR Parts lies a commitment to ensuring everyone reaches their full potential at work and this is recognised by being accredited as an Investor in People since 1998. As one of the five cornerstones, Training is key to personal and business effectiveness. A wide range of both vocational job related and personal development is available for all employees; please click on the links for more information. Every employee participates in the Personal Development Plan (PDP) programme, where they will identify with their manager their personal and job related training and career aspirations.
Assisted Studies
The company strongly encourages employees to undertake courses of study that are of benefit to the Company and themselves. Both financial assistance and release from work where necessary is considered for the courses. Courses include such subjects as National/Higher National Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees in Engineering, Business Studies, Human Resources, Transport and Logistics, Management Studies and MBA’s.
Internal Training
In order to ensure all employees are fully skilled and competent to do their job, we offer a wide range of internal work related training courses to assist them in improving and enhancing their skill base. This can be both on-job and off-job training, and includes such things as Health & Safety, Environmental Awareness, Fork Lift Truck Training, Systems Analysis, Pro-Engineer CAD, Maintenance etc.
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External Training
To ensure employees continue developing their skills and competency, and also keep abreast of new and developing standards relevant to their specific role, the company offer the opportunity to undertake a wide range of external work related training and includes some of the following, Mechatronics, Instructional Techniques, Managing Safely, Project Management, Pro Engineer, Business System Analysis, Gas Safety, Advanced Engineering, etc.
Entry Level Training
Entry Level Training ensures all new employees are integrated into the company culture and working policy and procedures; this is achieved through a structured programme on day one followed by a departmental induction on subsequent days. Orientation into the company will include the Company Presentation, insight into our culture, procedures and processes, as well as Health & Safety and Environmental topics. A new employee will have their immediate training needs identified in order to assist them in their development and integration from day one.
Personal Development
The company offers every employee £100 per year to study a course at their local further/higher education college or institution. This includes such diverse subjects such as Italian cooking, Spanish, photography and yoga. This is offered in addition to the Assisted Studies and IT courses as detailed separately. For employees with the potential and motivation to progress within the company, we have several initiatives to equip them with the skills required. For assembly operators, we offer Development Assignments into support areas. For high potentials in the support functions, there is a Mentor Scheme.
Professional Development
Professionally qualified people accredited to national standards is a reflection of the quality of our business and product, and we encourage employees to pursue professional qualifications where appropriate. This includes sponsorship towards the achievement of Chartered Engineer status for our sponsored engineering students and graduates on the Managed Professional Development Scheme, accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It also includes development towards the achievement of membership of other institutions such as the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, Institute of Operations, Institute of Leadership & Management.
We also ensure our apprentices are fully accredited to NVQ Level 3 in their chosen vocational area, and Key Skills Level 3 as well as the appropriate academic qualification.
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Management Training:
At Leyland we place great emphasis on managerial responsibility and actions. All team leaders, supervisors and managers undertake mandatory training in the following areas:
- Managing Absence
- Managing Discipline & Capability
- Conducting Personal Development Plan interviews
- Equal Opportunities and Diversity
- Business Financial Awareness
- Situational Leadership II
- Managing Marginal Performance
Other courses are available where appropriate, e.g. Recruitment & Selection, Negotiating Skills. We also run development courses for Team Leaders, Key Operators and key people in the business. These courses are accredited by the Institute of Leadership & Management and include subjects such as Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Coaching & Delegation and Time Management. All these courses feed into Expectations of a PACCAR Manager, a set of competences relating to managerial performance.
Open Learning Centre
The company has an on-site training centre, fully equipped with multi-media presentation tools. Internal training courses are held regularly, along with recognition sessions, assessment centres and dealer visits. In addition, a 10 station IT Suite plays host to Six Sigma Training and IT classes for employees, in subjects such as the Microsoft Office Suite, European computer Driving Licence and basic computer skills for beginners.
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Apprentice Recruitment & Development
Apprenticeships in Engineering are designed to attract bright people into the industry and give them the levels of skills required by employers and a nationally recognised qualification. Leyland Trucks has a long history of recruiting apprentices and many of our current managers and engineers started with the company in this way. Many years ago we even had our own Training School, but as engineering and heavy industry declined, that kind of targeted training by large employers was no longer cost effective and many companies, including Leyland, now rely on external training organisations to provide our apprentice training programmes.
Whilst many companies no longer recruit apprentices, Leyland is bucking that trend, and for the past six years we have been very active in identifying our skill shortages and ensuring we build capacity for the future. At the moment we have 18 young people at various stages of their apprenticeship development of which 6 were recruited this summer.
As part of our recruitment campaign, a team of company representatives attend the annual Careers Event at Training 2000 in Blackburn which usually takes place in February each year. All Year 11 students across Lancashire have the opportunity to find out more about engineering as a career at this event as well the specific vacancies available at the time.
The apprentice training programme, now called the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship, is of four years duration and consists of off-the-job training, work based skills training, further education and key skills study. The first 42 weeks of the programme are spent at Training 2000 in Blackburn, which is a fully equipped modern engineering workshop. First year apprentices, as well as gaining an NVQ Level 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations, will spend a number of weeks covering Fabrication, Mechanical Production, Electrical Maintenance, Mechanical Maintenance, and Technology/Design, gaining an all-round foundation knowledge of basic engineering principles and practices.
The remainder of the three years is spent on site, learning a specific skill such as Maintenance Electrician or Vehicle Mechatronics, attending college one day a week to gain the appropriate technical certificates and gaining an NVQ Level 3 relative to the job.
Throughout the whole programme, our apprentices are mentored, guided and supported by a number of people from both the company and T2000, and at the end of the four years are fully skilled, fully contributing and valuable members of staff.
Our apprentices enjoy great success in terms of achievement, and some of them were honoured at the 40th Anniversary Awards Presentation of Training 2000 in November 2007.
The photo shows some of our successful apprentices being presented with their awards by Steve Grey, Chief Executive of Training 2000
Download an Application Form for Advanced Modern Apprenticeship
