Boldon-based Faltec Europe, a major automotive supplier, is preparing to expand its workforce after winning a contract from car giant Nissan to supply body and trim parts for the new electric Leaf, which will begin production by the end of the year (www.nissanpress.co.uk).

The company already supplies parts for Nissan’s Juke, Qashqai and Infiniti models; it has joined forces with Sunderland College and Sora Group to recruit and train a team of apprentices to work on the new contract.

This partnership has resulted in 15 young people securing ‘paint and polish production apprenticeships’ after completing a bespoke training course.

Iain Nixon, Sunderland College’s (www.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk) executive director for commercial activity, said: “We have worked very closely with Faltec Europe to devise a programme that is shaped entirely around the requirements of the business, and this holistic approach has been met with an extremely positive response.

"The apprentices have learnt in a practical setting that mimics Faltec Europe’s working environment, and every stage of the training has been modelled on the procedures and high standards set by the company.

"We are providing a level of specialism training and support that is designed to equip the apprentices with the skills and knowledge they need to ‘hit the ground running’ in their new roles.”

Sunderland College has strong links with the advanced manufacturing sector. It has significantly expanded its client portfolio in recent years, working alongside Calsonic Kansei, ZF, Unipres and Komatsu, among others.