College helps students get ready for manufacturing career

Sunderland College has helped more than 100 people take their first steps into new employment within the manufacturing industry over the past year.

Working in partnership with Unipres, Sunderland College’s Employability and Community team have supported the new hire process at the global automotive company’s Training Academy in Washington.

Building up their study skills with the college, 154 students on the Getting on at Work course have also received hands-on training in areas such as; target setting, working as a team, and communication techniques ready for their move into operational employment with the company.

Phil Jackson, Employability and Community Lecturer at Sunderland College, said: “We have been working very closely with Unipres over the past academic year, helping our students through their first days of employment.

“As a result of the course, and working in collaboration with Unipres’ Training Academy team, the students have been able to build up their study skills, team work skills, and confidence in their new employment roles.

“This has enabled them to successfully transition into the next stage of Unipres’ induction program, and ultimately into employment.”

Sunderland College is also supporting Unipres develop their workforce by improving their numeracy and literacy skills as well as assisting their own training team gain industry specific qualifications.

The college has launched a new range of employer focused Distance Learning courses that aim to support businesses recovering from the COVID pandemic, including a Level 2 Lean Organisation Management Techniques course.

The college also offers a number of Get Ready for Work courses, these are designed to offer candidates aged 19 and over who are unemployed or on low incomes the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world of work. Subject areas include customer service, business administration, health and social care and IT.