Jaguar Land Rover has been recognised as one of the leading UK companies for women employees by achieving a place in the The Times Top 50 Employers For Women list.

JLR was included in the list due to its approach in attracting and developing high calibre women employees, the creation of a special leadership development programme and a series of work/life policies which it says have helped to create an “inclusive culture for women, such as flexible working options and workplace nurseries at Gaydon and Solihull”.

Des Thurlby, JLR human resources director, said: "Within a traditionally male dominated industry, we believe that our commitment to flexible working policies and an inclusive and progressive environment will attract women who may not have considered this industry previously.”

One of the key initiatives introduced by JLR, to help women employees succeed within management positions is the Women's Leadership Programme.

Developed in partnership with SEMTA – the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies – this programme provides management grade employees with a support package including individual development training and leadership workshops.

Since it was introduced in 2009, a total of 124 women have participated in the programme. The content is not just geared to helping individuals gain promotion, but it is designed to allow participants to reflect on their own style and analyse what they want from their careers.

JLR is recruiting 104 apprentices in 2011, across a full range of trades within engineering and manufacturing.

Thurlby said: "On average in the UK, only 2% of applications for apprenticeships within this sector come from women.

"JLR has actually hired five times this proportion of women for our vacancies, and we are determined to further improve on this achievement in the future."