In a groundbreaking move to elevate the region’s automotive industry, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and local authority leaders at the North East Combined Authority are poised to approve a significant skills investment aimed at cultivating a new generation of skilled local workers in electric vehicle (EV) and battery technology.
The initiative, known as MADE NE (Manufacturing, Automation, Digitalisation, Electrification North East), is spearheaded by Nissan in collaboration with key partners from the automotive sector. This ambitious project will establish world-class training facilities at two sites within the International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site (IAMSS) in Sunderland.
Valued at £14.6 million, the project is slated to receive £9.7 million in support from the Combined Authority, as recommended in a recent report to the Mayor and Cabinet. These funds will facilitate the creation of open-access facilities dedicated to industry-specific skills training within the region’s advanced manufacturing sector, with a particular emphasis on EV and battery manufacturing.
MADE NE will encompass a wide spectrum of skills development, ranging from primary school education to apprenticeships, as well as in-work learning and professional training. The initiative also aims to bolster targeted industrial innovation projects by providing necessary funding and equipment.
The plans are set to be reviewed by the North East Combined Authority Cabinet on Tuesday, July 30. This initiative marks the first project to emerge from the region’s Investment Zone, a decade-long, £160 million program projected to generate at least 4,000 jobs and secure £3 billion in private sector investment.
Mayor Kim McGuinness highlighted the significance of this investment, stating, “In my manifesto, I promised to back our world-leading automotive industry. Now we are delivering. This investment will unlock a generation of skilled workers and create opportunities for local people and businesses. It cements our reputation as a global success story in advanced manufacturing and shows how we can lead the industries of the future.”
Adam Pennick, Vice President of Manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland Plant, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of advanced skills for the future of automotive manufacturing. “To build the cars of the future, you need the skills of the future. This fantastic new facility will help find the talent, nurture the technical skills, and drive the spirit of innovation that will power advanced automotive manufacturing in the UK. Nissan Sunderland is proud of its track record on skills development, and we know that to deliver our EV36Zero vision, we need to do more.”
Cllr Michael Mordey, Cabinet Member for Finance and Investment and Leader of Sunderland City Council, underscored Sunderland’s pivotal role in this transformative project. “We are proud that Sunderland is the beating heart of the most important economic motor this region has, and that – in securing this investment – we can continue to drive its success with talented, highly-skilled people, trained in the city and able to contribute to the success of this whole region.”
MADE NE aspires to be self-sustaining within five years, with revenue generated through apprenticeship delivery, sub-letting space to aligned businesses, and making Nissan’s training programs commercially available. The plan has been meticulously developed in partnership with Nissan, the Combined Authority, Sunderland City Council, Education Partnership North East (EPNE), New College Durham, AESC, Vantec, Newcastle University, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA).
This landmark investment not only signifies a monumental step forward for the North East but also positions the region as a leader in the burgeoning field of EV and battery technology. By fostering a skilled workforce and nurturing innovation, the North East is set to drive the future of advanced automotive manufacturing on both a national and global stage.
