Nissan makes skills commitment at launch of Juke

Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 43, Issue 2

At the unveiling of the latest car to be built at Nissan UK’s Sunderland plant, the Juke, the company announced the creation of 75 advanced apprenticeships over the next five years. It will also extend its educational-outreach program until 2014, benefiting an extra 6,000 school pupils and 750 university engineering students.

The announcement follows the UK government’s decision to prioritise apprenticeships by refocusing £150 million on the creation of an additional 50,000.

Nissan is investing £57 million in production of the Juke at Sunderland,safeguarding 1,100 jobs.

John Hayes, further-education and skills minister, said:

This is one of the most successful and productive plants in Europe and Nissan’s long-standing commitment to skills is one of the biggest reasons why.

Building the Juke in Sunderland will secure jobs and investment for years to come, benefiting the workforce and local community, as well as safeguarding more jobs in the supply chain across the region and the UK economy as a whole.

I am encouraged that this is one of the leading companies that is taking investment in apprenticeships seriously, helping people to get the very best skills available.

Trevor Mann, Nissan senior vice-president of manufacturing, Europe, said:

Congratulations to the Sunderland workforce for earning the right to produce what is its sixth new model in eight years.

The Sunderland plant expects to produce up to 100,000 Jukes each year, making it the plant’s second highest volume model behind the Qashqai. The plant also produces the Nissan Note and the Qashqai +2, while the Leaf is confirmed for production from early 2013.