Member Article

Auto training on the right lines

Automotive students at Gateshead College are geared up for the workplace thanks to a unique partnership with Nissan. The College and Nissan are working together to provide Nissan trainees at the college’s £5.5 million Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) with learning facilities away from the demands of a ‘live’ production environment.

The programme aims to train students to industry level standards by practicing their speed, skill and accuracy on a simulated production line which prepares them for work on a real car assembly line. This has resulted in the college being named as Nissan’s preferred training provider with Nissan apprentices being trained at the college before going on to work at the company’s Sunderland plant.

David Cleary, manager at Gateshead College’s ACE based at Team Valley, said: “Anyone pursuing a career in car manufacturing must have an understanding of the processes involved and a good level of physical strength and stamina. Our mini-production line is similar to the equipment which is used at Nissan so students can train up to the right speed, dexterity and quality before working on a real assembly line.”

Anne Ratcliffe, training controller at Nissan, said: “ACE is a good starting block and provides our trainees with an excellent simulated environment in preparation for life on the line at Sunderland plant.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .