Nissan aims to reach more schools with foundation

About 100,000 pupils across the north-east of England have taken part in lessons hosted by the Nissan Skills Foundation over the last decade

Nissan has announced it will expand its skills foundation in a bid to get more young people interested in car manufacturing.

Since launching in 2015, it has delivered lessons to more than 100,000 children from across the north-east of England.

To mark its 10th anniversary, 200 school pupils were invited on to the plant's factory floor in Washington, Sunderland, to build hundreds of Nissan Qashqai models from Lego.

Adam Pennick, vice president of manufacturing on Wearside, said the aim was to "reach 16,000 children per year".

Lessons are targeted at those aged from six to 18 years old with the aim getting young people interested in the automotive industry.

Mr Pennick said: "It's vital that we attempt to get young people interested in what we do and hopefully activities like this Lego assembly can get the kids wanting to."

Nissan employee Lois Haywood remembers taking part in the scheme when she was at school

The Nissan Skills Foundation has already inspired youngsters to go on to work for the car giant.

Lois Haywood took part in one of its first sessions a decade ago with her school and has since gone on to secure a role.

Miss Haywood said: "I absolutely loved the course, it made me think I could work at Nissan and now my job is to inspire children that there are jobs to be had."