DfE regional director explores transformational opportunities for pupils in Sunderland

The North East’s growing reputation for skills development and strong education employer partnerships was under the spotlight this week during a special visit from the Department for Education (DfE) in Sunderland.

On Tuesday 28 April, Sunderland College hosted Katherine Cowell, regional director for the North East at the DfE, along with Brendan Tapping, Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust chief executive to showcase the success of the Nissan and Gentoo academies.

The visit included meeting Sunderland College senior leaders such as Education Partnership North East’s Chief Executive Toni Rhodes, Vice Principal (Student Life and Stronger Communities) Vikkie Morton as well as Claire Jones from Nissan and Sam England from Gentoo Group, who shared their collective vision for expanding opportunities for pupils across the North East. Katherine then toured the state-of-the-art facilities at City campus and HICSA (Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy) to see first-hand the innovative work taking place across the region as education and employer networks join forces.

Toni Rhodes said: “We were delighted to welcome Katherine to City Campus and HICSA, and to highlight the impact of the Nissan and Gentoo academies. Through these innovative programmes, students are developing the skills, confidence and industry insight needed for future careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering, or construction and housing.

“With expert industry teaching staff and state-of-the-art facilities across both campuses, learners benefit from training environments that reflect real-world industry, while creating pathways for them to progress into apprenticeships at Nissan and Gentoo, or to T Levels at Sunderland College.”

As part of the visit, there were pupil case studies – celebrating young people who have progressed into apprenticeships and employment as a direct result of these partnerships. During a guided tour of the facilities, Katherine was able to meet students currently engaged in technical programmes, gaining insight into their experiences and aspirations.

Brendan Tapping OBE said: “We were delighted to host Katherine and highlight the exceptional work taking place across our Trust and our wider partnerships. The North East has enormous potential, and by collaborating closely with employers and education providers, we are creating meaningful pathways that enable our young people to thrive. Today’s visit was a valuable opportunity to highlight the impact of our shared vision and the life-changing opportunities it is opening for pupils across our communities.”

Claire Jones said: “The Nissan Skills Academy programme was designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and real work in industry, giving students experience in an advanced manufacturing and engineering environment. Now seeing our first cohort of students fully immersed in their apprenticeships at the plant, and two more cohorts underway, there is proof that it is working.

“Nissan Sunderland Plant are committed to developing future talent and advancing STEM education across the North East. We want to provide the next generation with the technical skills to deliver an electrified future represented by the exciting new models we have online like the recently launched 100% electric Nissan LEAF.”

Louise Bassett, CEO at Gentoo Group, which runs Gentoo Trades Academy at HICSA, added: “Showcasing the brilliant work happening across Sunderland and the wider North East is so important, because it highlights the potential of our young people and the opportunities that exist when we get skills and employment support right. By bringing strong skills development together with trusted partnerships, we’re creating clear pathways into work that help young people build confidence, develop real world skills and access opportunities that can genuinely change their futures.”

The visit concluded with engagement from the EYFS network group, at Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, where Katherine joined a session focused on early years development, including a discussion on Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes and collaborative approaches to strengthening early years provision across the region.