The North East Automotive Alliance, the UK’s largest automotive cluster, has had a double funding success, securing more than £3million to get more people - including the long term unemployed - into work in the region’s advanced manufacturing sector.

Between them, two new UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects will see at least 200 South Tyneside residents engaged in pre-employment activity - including at least 60 placed in advanced manufacturing jobs by April 2025 - and the creation of more than 20 technical apprenticeships.

The £1.9m Training For Growth pilot aims to create a comprehensive framework to boost the number of Level 3 technical apprenticeships in Sunderland. It is funded by Sunderland City Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is a partnership between the NEAA and Education Partnership North East (EPNE).

Meanwhile, the £1.4m Inclusivity Pilot in Advanced Manufacturing, South Tyneside (IPAM-ST), funded by South Tyneside Council, will assist South Tyneside residents, who are economically inactive, unemployed, or not in education, employment, or training (NEET), to access a vocational skills pathway leading to employment in the Advanced Manufacturing sector.

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Paul Butler, chief executive of the North East Automotive Alliance, said: “The region has many outstanding manufacturing companies, who are contributing enormously to the local economy, not least by the creation of many thousands of high-quality jobs.

“However, the biggest potential barrier to continued success, is the regular supply of a skilled workforce. Both of the projects we are now facilitating, in conjunction with key partners and stakeholders, will play an important part in filling that gap and, more significantly, providing a real opportunity for people that have been unemployed for some time, to step forward and rebuild their lives through new skills and training.”

Cllr Kevin Johnston, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Business at Sunderland City Council, said: “Thousands of jobs are set to be created across the city over the coming years as our economy continues to diversify and grow, and initiatives such as Training for Growth will be key to ensuring we capitalise on this.

“By working closely with the business community, we will not only be able to identify the skills and knowledge gaps within the workforce that are required to fill the roles, but also provide the training and opportunities to help upskill residents and get more people into work.”

The Inclusivity Pilot in Advanced Manufacturing, South Tyneside (IPAM-ST), leads the way to assist South Tyneside residents to access a skills pathway leading to employment.

At least 150 residents in the borough will be engaged in pre-employment activity and the project will seek to place at least 60 people in advanced manufacturing jobs by April 2025.

The pilot will have a strong employer focus, enabling SMEs, of all sizes, to identify their technical skill requirements and access high quality technical skills development for their current and future workforce.

Cllr Margaret Meling, South Tyneside Council Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport, said: “Connecting residents to jobs and skills is one of the council’s five ambitions and enabling the long-term unemployed and economically inactive to access opportunities in the green economy, is central to that.”