Nissan Pledge to Unlock North East Talent

Stephen Timms, Department for Work and Pensions Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, visited the Nissan site at Washington on the 14 February to launch a joint initiative to unlock the region's talents.

A number of the 1,200 vacancies currently being advertised on the Nissan site are intended for people on benefits, with help with recruitment coming from from Jobcentre Plus. To get these people ready for work the Gateshead College Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics has been sub-contracted by Jobcentre Plus to run the 'Nissan Routeway' training scheme - giving them the necessary skills and experience so they can go on to compete for the jobs.

Stephen Timms said:

"The biggest barrier to full employment is not the shortage of jobs but the shortage of skills amongst the unemployed. Through Local Employment Partnerships like this one at Nissan we aim to support an additional 6,000 people in the North East off benefits and into work by March 2009.

Nissan's HR Director Danny Griffiths said:

"Nissan is currently working closely together with Jobcentre Plus to recruit an additional 800 staff to support a third production shift in response to the sales success of Qashqai. So, today's signing could not have been timed any better.

"By joining the Local Employment Partnership, I believe Nissan will gain a valuable framework for the ongoing recruitment of a diverse, talented and motivated workforce, and I am delighted to sign this partnership agreement on behalf of the plant."