NISSAN BOSS AND FORMER GATESHEAD COLLEGE STUDENTS BACKS VQ DAY

23/06/2010

Trevor Mann, senior vice president, manufacturing Nissan Europe has drawn on his own experience as a leading employer and former Gateshead College student to back a national initiative aimed at raising awareness of vocational training.

VQ Day (23 June) is a national celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers.

Last year 3.6 million vocational qualifications were awarded and millions of people are expected to achieve similar success this year.

Trevor, who has risen from team leader to hold one of the most senior posts within Nissan Europe in a 25 year career with the company, believes vocational training is as relevant today as it was when he was studying at Gateshead College in 1981 for an HTC Mechanical and Production Engineering.

"Vocational training offered by the likes of Gateshead College is invaluable to companies like Nissan who need a well trained, motivated and dynamic workforce.

"It gives people the chance to learn on the job while gaining the important skills employers require to keep their business competitive and going forward in the global economy.

"Furthermore, the automotive industry is changing all the time as car technology evolves and new manufacturing processes come in.

"A vocational training course enables workforces to be flexible, keeping people abreast of the latest techniques and expertise while they continue to do their day-to-day job.

"They can combine practical hands on training with the theoretical aspects of their industry - the perfect combination which allows employers like Nissan to create a working environment where people flourish and prosper.

"So, creating greater awareness of the benefits and opportunities available through initiatives like VQ Day is good news and I would urge more employers to consider the benefits for their workforce."

Gateshead College has forged a strategic partnership with Nissan to support the vocational training programme it delivers.

The college's Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics in Team Valley is responsible for training all of Nissan's apprentices.

Nissan's trainee maintenance technicians, for instance, attend the college's Automotive Centre of Excellence to complete their off-the-job training as part of their five year apprenticeship programme. 

During this time they complete a First Certificate and a National Diploma in Engineering; an NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations; and a Foundation Degree in Maintenance Engineering.

College attendance is combined with day release at work to ensure apprentices are ‘job ready'. The college also runs similar NVQ-based apprenticeship programmes with suppliers to Nissan and other manufacturers and companies throughout the North East and nationally.