A South Tyneside College student is celebrating an incredible achievement after securing a highly competitive apprenticeship with Nissan, where she will begin a three-year Specialist Skills apprenticeship this September.
Elizabeth Richardson, who has recently completed her Level 3 Motor Vehicle qualification at the College, was selected from hundreds of applicants to become one of just 11 successful candidates.
Elizabeth’s journey into the automotive industry has been driven by a lifelong passion for cars. After previously studying at Chameleon Vocational Training Ltd, she chose South Tyneside College because of its outstanding reputation and the opportunities it could offer.
I chose South Tyneside College because I'd heard amazing things about the tutors and the opportunities that could come from studying here.
When the apprenticeship opportunity arose, Elizabeth knew it was one she couldn’t miss.
My dad told me about the apprenticeship on the Nissan website. I've always been interested in learning about cars and working on them, so I knew I had to apply. It's something I'm really enthusiastic about. I love working on cars, and I enjoy helping to fix them. It's something I'm genuinely passionate about.
Despite the fierce competition, Elizabeth impressed the recruitment team throughout the selection process.
Reflecting on receiving the offer, she said:
I still don't know how I managed to be one of the 11 people chosen. I've never been happier because I honestly didn't think I'd get it.
Elizabeth said Nissan praised both her passion and potential during the recruitment process, describing her as one of the most impressive candidates and commenting that she was one of the most enthusiastic people about cars they had met.
This September, Elizabeth will begin her three-year Specialist Skills apprenticeship, where she is looking forward to developing her technical knowledge, gaining hands-on industry experience and working alongside fellow automotive enthusiasts.
I'm looking forward to continuing to learn, working on cars every day, meeting new people and bonding over something we all have in common – our love of cars.
David Eglintine, Course Leader for Motor Vehicle at South Tyneside College, said:
From day one, Elizabeth has shown a genuine passion for the motor trade. She throws herself into every practical task and has a real desire to learn, which has been fantastic to see. This apprenticeship is thoroughly deserved. Competition for places at Nissan is incredibly tough, so to be selected is a huge achievement. Everyone at South Tyneside College is proud of her, and we're excited to see where this opportunity takes her.
Looking ahead, Elizabeth has ambitious plans for the future.
Hopefully, this apprenticeship will lead to a full-time job with Nissan after the three years. Eventually, I'd love to open my own garage.
Elizabeth’s success highlights the exciting progression opportunities available to South Tyneside College students and demonstrates how dedication, enthusiasm and hard work can lead to outstanding career opportunities with world-leading employers.
Everyone at South Tyneside College congratulates Elizabeth on this fantastic achievement and wishes her every success as she begins the next stage of her career with Nissan.
