Automotive giant Nissan has launched a new training programme aimed at giving unemployed school leavers work experience and the chance to apply for a job at the company’s Sunderland Plant.
The Nissan Youth Evolution Scheme (YES) has an initial 60 places open 16, 17 and 18 year-olds who are not in education, employment or training to gain formal qualifications and to experience life in the workplace, starting in August 2013.
The 19-week course, run in partnership with training specialists the NAC Group and Derwentside College, involves 11 weeks of interactive learning followed by eight weeks shadowing staff on Nissan’s world-famous production line.
Those who complete the course will gain formal qualifications in English and Maths, a nationally-accredited Certificate in Preparation for Employment in the Engineering Manufacturing Industry, and a certificate in vocational competence from the NAC Group.
The qualifications gained will be equivalent to the entry standards required to apply for a manufacturing apprenticeship or a full-time position at Nissan, depending on age, or to a company in the automotive supply chain, through the NAC Group.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan’s Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, said: “Nissan Sunderland Plant is enjoying a sustained period of growth on the back of continued demand for the models we make here – the Nissan Qashqai, Juke, Note and the 100% electric Nissan LEAF.
“Nissan takes great pride in the skills of its people and this new initiative for school leavers will give many young people some real-world work experience. For those taking part it will also give them the necessary qualifications to begin a career in 21st Century advanced manufacturing.”
Susan Errington, Director of Business Development at Derwentside College said, “As a college which is in the top 10% of all colleges in the country for student success, we are delighted to support this new initiative in partnership with Nissan and the NAC Group.
“Having strong working relationships with a large number of experienced and renowned businesses, we feel that the young people being offered this training programme are incredibly fortunate to be working with such a high-profile company as Nissan.
“They are guaranteed the most excellent and valuable work experience from a world leader in the automobile industry”.
YES is being supported by the Education Funding Agency as part of the UK Government’s Traineeship programme, which is aimed at giving young people the skills and experience they need to secure a sustainable job or to secure an apprenticeship.
