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Sunderland, UK — Nissan has announced a major expansion of its pioneering Skills Foundation STEM programme, pledging to double its reach to 16,000 young people each year, after a decade of success inspiring more than 100,000 students across the North East.
Launched in 2015 by King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, the Nissan Skills Foundation began as a single interactive workshop aiming to engage 1,000 students. Over ten years, the initiative has flourished into a comprehensive offering of 13 STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) courses, catering to students aged six to eighteen.
To celebrate the milestone and expansion, Nissan hosted a special event at its Sunderland Plant, inviting 200 schoolchildren onto the factory floor for a unique challenge: assembling 300 LEGO models of the Nissan Qashqai. In just one hour, the children snapped together more than 61,000 LEGO pieces — an impressive feat executed with the same precision as the real assembly lines nearby.
Michael Jude, HR Director at Nissan Sunderland, said:
"To have inspired over 100,000 young minds in just ten years is a phenomenal achievement. We could not be prouder of our training team who help unearth the exciting talent of the future. But it's not just about the numbers — many of our current employees first encountered Nissan through the Skills Foundation. The programme genuinely builds the talent of tomorrow."
The doubling of the Foundation’s annual intake forms part of Nissan's leadership role in the new £14.6 million MADE NE (Manufacturing, Automation, Digitalisation, Electrification North East) initiative. Through MADE NE, Nissan and its partners aim to create world-leading training hubs supporting the region’s growing advanced manufacturing and electric vehicle industries.
As part of the expansion, Nissan will open a second dedicated STEM classroom at the SASMI building next to its Sunderland Plant, dramatically increasing opportunities for young people to engage with cutting-edge skills needed for the EV36Zero future.
Among the attendees at the celebratory event were Year 6 pupils from Gillas Lane Primary Academy — the first school to participate in the Foundation’s Monozukuri Caravan workshop a decade ago.
Kay Straughan, Headteacher at Gillas Lane, commented:
"Over the last 10 years, many of our students have taken part in Nissan’s STEM programmes. By introducing children early to the exciting opportunities in STEM careers, we help them make informed choices about their futures. It’s also a brilliant chance for hands-on learning outside the classroom."
Other participating schools included Deaf Hill Primary School (County Durham), Wardley Primary School and St Augustine’s (Gateshead), Wallsend Jubilee Primary School (North Tyneside), Harton Primary School (South Tyneside), and George Washington School (Sunderland).
About the Nissan Skills Foundation
The Nissan Skills Foundation offers 13 different courses designed to spark students' interest in manufacturing, engineering, and technology careers. These include the Monozukuri Caravan, VEX IQ Robotics competitions, Robotics Coding Club, and the "Lesson in a Box" outreach programme.
In 2023, Nissan launched the Nissan Skills Academy in partnership with Education Partnership North East and Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, creating a pathway for 14-to-16-year-olds into apprenticeships. The first cohort is set to graduate this year, with guaranteed interview opportunities at Nissan.
About MADE NE
Established in July 2024, MADE NE is an industry-led initiative driven by Nissan and a consortium of partners, aiming to create a regional hub for advanced manufacturing training and innovation. With a £14.6 million investment, the programme will establish two open-access centres focused on developing the skills needed for electric vehicle and battery production, driving future economic growth across the North East.
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