Green light for training hub to power future of EV technology

Plans for a Nissan-led “education and training facility” aiming to “create a new generation of skilled local workers in electric vehicle and battery technology” have been given the green light by councillors.

- by Chris Binding

Plan for a new education and training facility near Nissan have been approved.

Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee, at a meeting this week, approved an application for the future of an industrial unit (unit five) at Infiniti Drive, Hillthorn Business Park, in Washington.

Plans submitted earlier this year by Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd sought permission for an “education and training facility” at the site along with a new security gate, fencing and external flues and condenser units.

A covering letter submitted to council officials noted the proposed development would be “one of two open access training facilities within the International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site, in Sunderland [and] part of the NE Investment Zone (the other being an existing training facility called SASMI)”.

Together, the “skills and innovation centres” are expected to become the home of MADE NE (Manufacturing, Automation, Digitalisation, Electrification North East), a major initiative announced last summer.

The initiative is expected to receive funding from the North East Combined Authority and will be led by Nissan with partners “on behalf of the region’s advanced manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing”.

The covering letter also set out details of how the site would be “reconfigured internally to accommodate the training facility”, including “six bespoke rooms within the building for groups of around 14” and “eight shop floor training areas provided for small groups of six learners within the main warehouse floorspace”.