Nissan Sunderland training lead awarded MBE

Nissan Sunderland plant training lead, Ian Green, has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for his services to apprenticeships and STEM education.

Joining Nissan Sunderland’s production department in 1991, Mr Green, has been a key figure in the training team for the last 25 years, and has played a key role in the establishment and growth of the plant’s flagship Skills Foundation. His award coincides with a major milestone, as the 70,000^th young person takes part in a Nissan Skills Foundation event.

Mr Green has also been instrumental in driving forward the plant’s apprenticeships programmes, which are currently open for new applications and to date have seen 2,000 people start their careers with Nissan.

He said: “It is a huge honour and surprise to receive this fantastic award. I am extremely proud of the Nissan Skills Foundation and our apprenticeship programmes, and their ongoing importance to skills development across our region. To be awarded an MBE is the icing on the cake.

“Of course, everything we do at Nissan Sunderland Plant is built on teamwork, so this is also great recognition for the plant’s brilliant training and apprenticeships teams who, like me, are passionate about inspiring the talent of the future.”

Mr Green started his career as a technical apprentice for an automotive supply firm, and firmly believes this route provides a great launch pad for a career in the industry. His MBE also recognises the work he has done in the wider community, working in primary and secondary school governance for more than 18 years, initially to take an active role in his son's education. This experience in wider education ensured the work of the Skills Foundation is tailored to the national curriculum and what schools needed.

Alan Johnson, vice president, manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland, said: “This is richly deserved recognition for Ian, whose talent and dedication has played a major part in building our fantastic Skills Foundation and pushing forward our apprenticeships program.

“As a plant we are hugely proud of Ian and his team, not just for this award, but also for the vital work they do in developing the skills and talent that is vital for our exciting electrified future.”

The Nissan Sunderland Apprenticeship scheme is now open. Find more information on it here.

The opportunity to join the Nissan team comes just months after the company and partners Envision AESC and Sunderland City Council announced Nissan EV36Zero, a £1bn flagship EV Hub accelerating the company’s journey to carbon neutrality.

Nissan
www.nissan.co.uk