Green Collar Training

Launch of Green Collar Training Centre

September 28, 2009

Part of Nissan's Sunderland plant is being considered as a pilot for a Green Collar Training facility. The facility will open in two phases and will finally integrate with a planned new centre for sustainable manufacturing due to open in 2010/11.

The facility will serve the North East Region, providing green skills for the unemployed which will better equip them to find jobs in the emerging green collar occupations – in the automotive sector, alternative and renewable energy, and in a wide range of green products and services.

The designation of the Region as a Low Carbon Economic Area, with expected major investment in electric vehicles and battery manufacture, has the possibility to offer a very significant number of new jobs. At the same time, staff of existing manufacturing companies require the new green skills that will complement their existing capabilities.

The new facility will be a partnership project between the NAC Group, NMUK and Gateshead College. The project when fully operational, it will include specialist workshops where the manufacture, charging, storage and handling of batteries as well as fuel cells can be learned, and classrooms where trainees will be given the required theoretical knowledge.

Integration with the planned centre for sustainable manufacturing will ensure that companies throughout the Region can benefit from the new green skills and know-how delivered by experts in their field.

Paul Gough, MD of Green Collar Training said: "This is a very exciting development for all of us who are trying to shape a new economic future for our Region. The Centre will provide a state-of-the–art facility with a team of highly experienced staff; the training will be first rate, and the lessons will be disseminated to manufacturing companies across the Region".


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