The North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and authority leaders are on course to approve an investment in a skill-development facility for electric vehicle (EV) and battery technology.

The North East Combined Authority reports suggest the £14.6 million project should receive £9.7 million aid from the Combined Authority.

Dubbed MADE NE (Manufacturing, Automation, Digitalisation, Electrification North East), the initiative is steered by automotive giant Nissan among other partners.

It aims to develop world-class training facilities across two sites nestled within Sunderland's International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site (IAMSS).

A promising venture, MADE NE is set to launch as part of the region’s Investment Zone: a £160 million, ten-year programme set to create approximately 4,000 jobs and propel £3bn of private-sector investments.

It has been confirmed that the project will offer accessible facilities for industry-specific skill training geared towards EV and battery manufacturing.

Not just this - it seeks to span a wide spectrum of talent development from primary level to apprenticeships, extending to in-field learning and training.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness said: "In my manifesto I promised to back our world-leading automotive industry.

"Now we are delivering.

"This investment will unlock a generation of skilled workers and create opportunities for local people and businesses.

"This investment will unlock a generation of skilled workers and create opportunities for local people and businesses.

“It cements our reputation as a global success story in advanced manufacturing and shows how we can lead the industries of the future.

The investment shows how we can make the North East the home of real opportunity by backing local workers and businesses – so our area has good, well-paid, high-skilled jobs and training on the doorstep.“

Adam Pennick, vice president of manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said: "To build the cars of the future, you need the skills of the future.

"This fantastic new facility will help find the talent, nurture the technical skills and drive the spirit of innovation that will power advanced automotive manufacturing in the UK.

"Nissan Sunderland is proud of its track record on skills development and we know that to deliver our EV36Zero vision we need to do more.

"That’s why we are excited to be leading this collaborative long-term project to take skills development to the next level, for the benefit of the North East of England."

MADE NE has an ambitious vision to become a self-sustained venture in five years, generating revenue from the delivery of apprenticeships, renting space to businesses in alignment with the project goals, and offering commercially-available Nissan training.

Endorsement for the venture came from the cabinet member for finance and investment and leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Michael Mordey.

He said: "We are proud that Sunderland is the beating heart of the most important economic motor this region has, and that – in securing this investment – we can continue to drive its success with talented, highly-skilled people, trained in the city and able to contribute to the success of this whole region.

"And indeed to ensure that the supply chain is developed with the availability of a world-class workforce. "

Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said: "The UK has a world-renowned auto industry, and this investment will help boost jobs for years to come while also creating a wealth of opportunities for businesses in the North East.

"Growing up in Sunderland, I saw first hand how a city and community could be transformed when companies like Nissan and Government work together in partnership.

"Our modern Industrial Strategy will build on this legacy, and bring growth, jobs and opportunities to the North East, and every part of the UK.”

The proposal is expected to be presented to the North East Combined Authority cabinet on July 30.