Nissan gets ‘good’ rating
EDUCATION WATCHDOGS PRAISE CAR PLANT TRAINING
Ofsted bosses have given the thumbs-up to Sunderland’s car plant.
Nissan is celebrating being rated as good by the education watchdogs for the training it provides for staff.
Inspectors visited the Washington centre this summer and rated it as good overall as an independent learning provider.
It also said the car giant was outstanding for its apprenticeship programme.
They said the leadership and management, outcomes for learners, quality of teaching and personal development are all good.
The one area that was rated as requiring improvement was the adult learning programmes.
Mark Pennifold, human resources director at the Sunderland plant, said: “We are proud of our recent Ofsted result, as it recognises that we strive to help our people be the best that they can be.
“At Nissan we put our people at the foundation of everything we do and pride ourselves on seeking to provide first-class training opportunities.
“We are particularly pleased with the feedback we received regarding our apprenticeship schemes – they are vital to the ongoing success of the plant and many of them have gone on to hold senior leadership positions within Nissan.”
In the report, inspectors said: “Senior leaders and managers have a very good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision.
“They use this understanding effectively to make improvements to the apprenticeship programme.
“Apprentices participate in highly-effective training that goes beyond the minimum requirements for the qualification.
“Apprentices successfully develop the high-level skills that they need to work for a global vehicle manufacturer, including on the vehicle production line, in engineering maintenance, and in business administration.”
The inspection found almost all apprentices complete their qualifications within the expected timescales, and gain sustainable employment and advancement in their careers.