Kaizen Apprentice

Meaning “continuous improvement” in Japanese, Kaizen is the constant practice of refining business processes to improve quality, reduce costs and add value to operations. On this 3-year apprenticeship, you will develop specialist skills and knowledge, including design and manufacture of “low cost automation” as well as maintenance of facilities for both quality improvements and cost/time savings. Combining both theoretical and practical skills, you’ll split your time between college and the plant, working as part of the team responsible for producing innovative solutions for our manufacturing operations.

This isn’t just an apprenticeship- it’s your pathway to becoming a vital part of our team.

You’ll be working shoulder-to-shoulder with our experts in production, engineering, and maintenance, each ready to share their knowledge and support you as you grow. From the moment you step onto our shop floor, you’re treated as an equal- making real contributions to the manufacturing process and gaining life skills to take forward into your career.

It’s a hands-on and challenging scheme, designed to help you develop as far as you want to go. Shift work is part of the deal, but the rewards are exceptional – we invest in our apprentices because we believe in your potential to be part of our future. You will be rewarded by earning over £16,000 a year, with a host of perks including pension scheme, private healthcare, discounts, monthly prize draws and access to our employee discounted car scheme.

So, are you ready to think outside of the box and play your part in the continuous development of our sustainable plant? Apply now and accelerate your career with a Nissan Manufacturing apprenticeship.

Starting salary £16,402

Summary

You’ll get the best of both worlds on our 3-year scheme, with a blend of first-rate college learning combined with hands-on, real-world experience working within the plant. You will develop specialist skills and knowledge, including design and manufacture of “low cost automation” as well as maintenance of facilities for both quality improvements and cost/time savings. Communication relating to your application will be via email to the e-mail address you have used during your application. Please check regularly. If you have any questions, please contact apprenticeships@nissan-nmuk.co.uk

Minimum Requirements

• 4 GCSE grades or equivalent (achieved or predicted)
• Mathematics (Grade A-C or 4+)
• English Language (Grade A-C or 4+)
• Two other subjects (Grade A-C or 4+)
• A can-do attitude, motivated to achieve in your daily work and learning
• 16 or over at the start of your apprenticeship
• The ability to commute to and from the Nissan Sunderland plant SR5 3NS
• Eligibility to work in the UK. You must have ordinarily resided in the UK & Islands for at least 3 years by Sept 2025 (proof will be requested during the selection process)
• Please note, we operate a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol and pre-employment testing is part of our recruitment process. Any failure will result in the withdrawal of any offer and non-progression of your application.

What you’ll be doing

• You will split your time between college learning and working within our world-class manufacturing plant
• As part of the Kaizen team, you will work with Nissan teams across Production, Engineering and Maintenance, using your skills, knowledge and creativity to make vital improvements to the production environment
• From simple repairs of the existing facilities to the development of new ideas, you see your work brought to life through the continuous improvement of the production cycle
• At college, you will learn the skills and theory you need for your role and onward specialist career in manufacturing, including correct use of tooling and equipment, usage of machinery and lean methodology such as 5s and Kaizen tools
• Working in our technically-advanced and innovative environment, you will develop lean manufacturing knowledge and skills, becoming able to perform specialist tasks in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and adhering to our safe working policies and procedures. You’ll also acquire the skills and knowledge required to work as a member of the team responsible for maintaining the facilities and automotive tooling here at Nissan.

Through this blended approach, you will have the chance to achieve the following qualifications by the end of your apprenticeship:

*Performance dependent. All qualifications may be subject to change.

Benefits at a glance...

• Competitive salary (increased every six months based on performance) and pension
• Paid overtime and shift allowance (if applicable)
• 26 days' holiday per year (plus bank holidays)
• Residential team building trip to Derwent Hill
• Social and celebration events, monthly draws and employee discount scheme
• Opportunities to take part in CSR activities
• Progressive training and development
• Access to our on-site fitness centre, sports and social complex
• Private healthcare and Employee Assistance Programme
• Uniform and PPE provided
• Parental leave policy
• Discounted employee car scheme after 6 months (+1yr driving)

Apply for this job…

Before you apply for this role, we just need to know that you are eligible to apply. Please answer these questions before proceeding to application.

Do you have the right to live and work in the UK? Yes No

Will you be aged 16 or over on 1st September 2025? Yes No

The role requires shift working. Are you able to commute to and from Nissan Sunderland Plant? Yes No

Sorry, you don’t meet the necessary criteria to apply for this role at this time. Why not take a look at some of our other job openings?

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Nissan is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity, equality and inclusion across our workforce. Our ambition is that our workforce is wholly representative of all the communities in which we operate, with every employee feeling respected and able to contribute to the best of their ability.

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