The hum of precision machinery at Nissan’s Sunderland Plant isn’t just creating world-class vehicles; it’s shaping the future of young minds. On the foundation’s tenth anniversary, the Nissan Skills Foundation is making headlines as it reaches a monumental milestone: inspiring over 100,000 students since its 2015 launch. But Nissan isn’t stopping there—they’re doubling down on their commitment by expanding their STEM outreach to 16,000 children annually, solidifying their position as leaders in nurturing the next generation of talent.
The Skills Foundation began modestly in 2015 with an interactive STEM workshop inaugurated by King Charles (then Prince of Wales), aiming to inspire around 1,000 students per year. Fast forward to 2025, and it now boasts a portfolio of 13 dynamic courses tailored for students aged six to eighteen. From robotics programming to lean manufacturing, the foundation has become an industry beacon, captivating young minds and guiding them towards careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
To celebrate a decade of achievements, Nissan invited 200 North East students to the Sunderland Plant for a uniquely memorable experience: assembling 300 LEGO models of the Nissan Qashqai under the watchful eye of the facility’s production line. Each model, composed of 204 bricks, was meticulously pieced together in just 60 minutes—an impressive feat that mirrored Nissan’s real-world production efficiency . The event, which whizzed by at a pace of 1,000 LEGO bricks per minute, embodied the foundation’s mission of blending fun with hands-on learning.
Michael Jude, HR Director at Nissan Sunderland, emphasised the significance of this achievement, noting that the Foundation’s impact isn’t solely measured in numbers. As he revealed, former Skills Foundation participants are now Nissan employees, underscoring the program’s success in building a sustainable talent pipeline. And with its expansion as part of the MADE NE (Manufacturing, Automation, Digitalisation, Electrification North East) initiative, the skills drive extends far beyond Nissan. The £14.6 million MADE NE project spearheads collaboration between industry, academia, and government to create cutting-edge training hubs across the region .
One hub, poised to transform STEM education, is based at SASMI (Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation), where Nissan is launching a second classroom dedicated to STEM excellence. Students will not only learn about electric vehicle (EV) production but also engage with programs that demystify advanced manufacturing processes—including coding and robotics, where gamification tools are leveraged to teach essential skills .
The cornerstone of Nissan’s visionary EV36Zero strategy further aligns these efforts with the group’s sustainability goals. Positioned as a flagship EV hub, EV36Zero integrates electric vehicle production, renewable energy, and battery manufacturing, ensuring that the North East remains at the forefront of green automotive technology. This strategy highlights the Foundation’s role in fueling a skilled workforce that echoes Nissan’s commitment to sustainability.
Education leaders like Kay Straughan, Headteacher of Gillas Lane School, also spoke volumes about the lasting impact of the Foundation. Straughan underscored how STEM-based career exposure at a young age empowers students to make informed decisions about their futures, citing the transformative role of hands-on learning outside traditional classrooms.
With a decade under its belt and an ambitious roadmap ahead, the Nissan Skills Foundation isn’t just a program—it’s a movement. Celebratory LEGO events and ambitious classroom expansions aside, at its heart lies a mission to turn curiosity into career potential and lay the groundwork for an electrified, innovative tomorrow. Here’s to the next 100,000 inspired minds—and beyond.
