Columnist

Getting people into gear for a workplace return

The North East Automotive Alliance is very proud to be at the heart of a pilot initiative to assist long-term unemployed residents in South Tyneside back into the workplace.

This is a really important piece of work as South Tyneside currently has the second-highest unemployment rate in the North East, with significant challenges such as high levels of workless households and a high percentage of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The overall aim of the campaign is to highlight sector attractiveness and fill much-needed entry-level roles in the automotive and advanced manufacturing industries.

On Tuesday, March 25, from 10am until 2pm, we will be hosting the Advanced Manufacturing Careers Fair, at South Shields Town Hall, to help fill critical job vacancies.

Attendees will meet employers, learn about recruitment plans and register for available positions. 

Companies attending include Nissan, Caterpillar, AESC UK, Vantec Europe, Unipres, Marelli/MTrec, Adient, Magna and Mi-King.

We will also provide support with CV writing and interview preparation, ensuring jobseekers are ready to take the next step in their careers. 

Ahead of the fair, we will host a career information clinic on Tuesday, March 18, at the Employment and Skills Hub, to prepare participants.

The clinic will provide one-on-one advice on career pathways, local recruitment plans and training opportunities available within the automotive sector.

The pilot, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to help South Tyneside’s long-term unemployed residents secure entry-level roles and gain access to vocational skills pathways in advanced manufacturing. 

By addressing skills gaps in the automotive industry, the programme is designed to help local employers build a more sustainable and diverse workforce.

Through the programme, we are equipping residents with the skills and confidence they need to enter the workforce, and build long-term careers in the region’s growing automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Paul Butler is chief executive of the North East Automotive Alliance

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