- Nissan Skills Academy produces first cohort of apprentices for Sunderland Plant
- New apprentices will potentially work on next generation Nissan LEAF, which launches later this year
- Two more cohorts of 14 to 16-year-olds also on track for the same success
Sunderland, UK – The first students from the new Nissan Skills Academy have officially begun apprenticeships at Sunderland Plant after successfully completing a two-year programme that bridges the gap between classroom and shop floor.
The group of 12 studied the Level Two Engineering programme at Sunderland College’s City Campus, with technical manufacturing skills tuition from the college and Nissan teaching teams. The students, from St Wilfrid’s R.C. College, all successfully attained the qualification, with five beginning apprenticeships at Nissan. The rest will either continue their studies at sixth form or progress to the college’s T Level courses in Engineering.
Claire Jones, Head of Skills at Nissan Sunderland, said: “We are proud and excited to see these students beginning their careers in automotive manufacturing.
“This programme was designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the shop floor. This group of talented young people shows it’s working.
“They are joining at an important and exciting time for our plant, and some will have the opportunity to work on the next generation Nissan LEAF, which launches later this year.
“We are committed to developing future talent and advancing STEM education in the North-East. We want to provide the next generation with the technical skills to deliver the electrified future represented by LEAF and our world-first EV36ZERO project.”
The Nissan Skills Academy is now preparing to welcome the third cohort of 10 students into the programme, as well as supporting the second group through their final year of studies.
Both groups will follow the same hands-on learning, aiming to gain an apprenticeship interview at Nissan upon successful completion.
Developed by Nissan in partnership with Sunderland College and the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, the Nissan Skills Academy provides 14 to 16-year-olds with a unique opportunity to earn engineering qualifications while gaining hands-on experience in the automotive industry, all integrated into their GCSE education.
Ellen Thinnesen, CEO of Education Partnership North East, which includes Sunderland College, said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the first Nissan Skills Academy cohort - young people who represent the future of engineering and innovation in the North East. Their success is a testament to their hard work, the strength of our partnership with Nissan and the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, and the transformative power of hands-on, industry-led education.
"The Nissan Skills Academy is an excellent partnership that bridges the gap between education and the world of work, equipping young people with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the engineering sector.”
Brendan Tapping, Chief Executive Officer of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust said, “We are excited that Bishop Chadwick continues to be a partner with Nissan and Sunderland College. The opportunity for five of our students from St Wilfrid’s to commence their apprenticeships with Nissan, with the rest continuing in further education, clearly demonstrates the success of this initiative in enabling our students to access high quality employment or continue in education.”
The Sunderland College City Campus has undergone a multi-million-pound transformation featuring a 360-degree immersive digital training hub, battery power and robotics facilities, and a hybrid automotive technical skills centre equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, developments.
The Nissan Skills Academy is an extension of the decade long running Nissan Skills Foundation, designed to spark interest in STEM and automotive innovation among children aged 9–16. This year Nissan announced the expansion of the foundation by doubling its annual capacity to reach up to 16,000 young learners per year.
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About Nissan EV36Zero
Nissan’s EV36Zero blueprint will transform Sunderland Plant into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production.
About Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania)
Nissan AMIEO comprises Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania markets. This vast and diverse region employs more than 19,000 people and covers 140 markets with a population of around 3.8 billion. The AMIEO region also boasts an extensive vehicle offering, including the iconic Nissan Patrol SUV, pioneering Nissan Qashqai and the fully electric crossover, Nissan Ariya.
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