EAL (Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited)

Alleviating the unemployment crisis with a high quality, qualification driven workforce

In the face of rising UK unemployment, EAL has supported Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK and the NAC Group to accredit a programme that is benefitting industry employers and local communities in the North East.  With over 1,100 unemployed learners now in work and Nissan’s retention boosted by 50 per cent, the resulting qualification is available for Centres nationwide to emulate their success.

UK unemployment is at a 17 year high according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics in September.  While the government explores the idea of sector-based work academies to reverse the trend, a training scheme involving Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, the NAC Group and EAL continues to make a positive impact in the North East, having recently passed the milestone of 1,000 unemployed learners placed in work.

Drawing on the partners’ experience in developing world class skills, the programme offers practical experience of working life in a manufacturing environment.  As well as focusing on core and emerging industry skills – including sustainable development – it aims to instil a healthy work ethic and create a pool of skilled and motivated workers for Nissan and its supply chain to draw on, improving retention in the process.

Protecting and enhancing provision

Now approaching its second anniversary, the programme was originally funded through the Skills Funding Agency’s ‘Response to Redundancy’ programme, but faced questions over its viability following public spending cuts in spring 2011. 

At this point Nissan and NAC Group, the innovative training provider which recruits staff for Nissan through its Green Collar Academy, approached EAL to further develop the six week programme and secure its future as a nationally accredited qualification. 

As a result, the Level 2 Certificate in Preparation for Working in the Engineering and Manufacturing Industry (QCF) is now available for EAL recognised Centres across the country to follow their lead and prepare out-of-work learners for employment with local businesses.

Paul Robson, managing director of the NAC Group, explains: “Working with EAL meant that we could access further funding to build on the programme’s success.  It adds a new dimension in that we are getting people job-ready and also provides them with a national qualification.  For many of our learners this may be their first ever qualification, so it gives them extra confidence and helps to make their CVs more competitive.”

“EAL specialises in developing qualifications within the manufacturing industry, and based on its track record over a number of projects with Nissan and NAC Group, we could trust in them to be supportive and responsive to our needs.”

Sustainable development

An assessment strategy was agreed that allows the use of simulated environments, where learners develop their practical skills on training rigs such as paint booths and welding areas.  As well as covering the theory behind core manufacturing roles, learners are also introduced to sustainable development practices that are an increasing feature of many jobs in the sector.

“Achieving a low carbon footprint will be critical in manufacturing in the next 10 to 15 years, and we are seeing products and services increasingly focused on low carbon technologies.” Paul explains.  “By giving someone an understanding of what sustainable development is, how it relates to the sector and its impact on the work environment, we give them a foundation to build on and improve their chances of employment as they can approach interviews with confidence.”

Right: EAL managing director Ann Watson and Nissan training and development manager Steve Pallas observe training on basic trim and chassis skills.

Boosting productivity

Since the programme’s inception, over 1,100 previously unemployed learners have been placed into permanent roles with Nissan, the Green Collar Academy itself, and local engineering and manufacturing companies such as Calsonic, Hashimoto, Unipres and Faurecia.

The level of skills they gain means that, whereas previously 12 per cent of unemployed people entering Nissan’s recruitment process would be successful, that figure has increased five-fold to 60 per cent.  The programme has also helped Nissan achieve a 50 per cent reduction in the number of recruits who do not last beyond the initial 13 weeks of employment.

Steve Pallas, Nissan’s training and development manager explains: “The training and assessment process teaches young people not just how to do the work, but how to think about it too.  Getting an EAL qualification prepares them for Nissan’s selection process and greatly improves their chance of success.  It has helped the company to achieve a stable and trained workforce and this, in turn, boosts our productivity.”



Dramatic change

Among the successful learners who have gained permanent roles at Nissan, Gareth Douglas had been unemployed for eight months and found himself competing with up to 85 other applicants for vacancies.  On joining the training programme, he found the practical elements gave him an insight into the manufacturing workplace, and that the informative, classroom based work and numeracy tests helped to top up his existing knowledge from school.

“If it wasn’t for the course, I wouldn’t have my job at Nissan or have gained all this valuable experience,” he reveals. “This process has made a dramatic change to my life.  I don’t feel that there are any obstacles any more.  I am very happy working at Nissan, and I am hoping to make a long and successful career of it.”

NAC Group offers learners the choice to attend Nissan’s own training facility or another location in the Walker area of Tyne and Wear – helping to make attendance manageable in terms of travel and cost, as well as reducing their carbon footprint.  “We’ve got to look at creative ways of training to tackle the unemployment challenge, and the fact that Nissan is an active presence in the local community helps the whole process of engagement,” explains Paul Robson.

Above: EAL's Ann Watson meets learners on Nissan's pre-employment training programme.

World-class standards

As the partnership continues to benefit local employers and the community, NAC Group is now exploring interest from other businesses nationwide.  “Having an EAL qualification shows that our learners are trained to world-class standards and means that employers can access a high quality, qualification-driven workforce,” Paul confirms.

The qualification is eligible for funding support and available for all EAL recognised Centres to offer, complete with exemplar assessment plans, tasks, worksheets and achievement tracking sheets.  By allowing Centres to work to their strengths and tailor their own materials to suit the specific employers or areas of industry, the flexible assessment approach aims to deliver the maximum benefit for businesses and individual careers.

For more information about this qualification, please speak to your External Verifier or contact our customer services team on 01923 652400 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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