Nissan and WPC Group are driving change - NISSMAP 2023 Intake is Now Open!
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To build a highly skilled specialized workforce, Nissan Australia joined with WPC Group to design a new kind of Automotive Apprentice program. Launched in 2012, NISSMAP is an innovative, specially designed apprenticeship program to train, certify, and grow Nissan’s future automotive industry leaders.
NISSMAP offers apprentices the opportunity to learn about the automotive industry, from air conditioning repair to dealership operations. Apprentices train in Nissan dedicated classes, working on Nissan technology to ensure their abilities are current, targeted and meeting the newest technological advancements. Each apprentice even receives a dedicated mentor to help guide them through the program and help grow expert workers who take pride in their work and value the Nissan career path philosophy that ‘the focus is on the customer, the driving force is value creation and the measurement of success is profit’.
NISSMAP offers apprentices a 2.8 year accelerated apprenticeship (Certificate III Light Vehicle Automotive Technology qualification) - with the opportunity to complete as second qualification ‘Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology’ over the following 12 months - in state of the art training facilities in NSW, QLD, VIC, and WA, in conjunction with the Nissan Learning Academy.
Nissan Australia’s partnership with WPC Group gives apprentices hands-on experience learning the industry, the opportunities to evolve and grow best working practices, and engaged support to become a future leader in the industry.
Key Features
Nissan technology specialized training in state of the art facilities
Dedicated teachers and mentors to help trainees advance through certification
Opportunity to complete dual trade qualification
First step of a career with a company that focuses on retaining and developing staff for the future
“Taking part in NISSMAP is the best choice I’ve ever made. Not only did this program help me qualify early, but it’s also set me up for a successful future by giving me the opportunity to complete my dual trade qualification (Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology). One of my favourite things about my experience though NISSMAP is the people I’ve met; the friends I’ve made, my teachers, my WPC Group mentor all added so much to my NISSMAP experience. The NISSMAP program is an absolute beast, and has set me up for a stellar career, and I intend to make the most of it.”
Charlotte Graham | NISSMAP Graduate, Moorooka Nissan
Development and Support of Participants
NISSMAP supports all staff and apprentices involved with a positive, engaged team, and a professional safety mindset.
To create the leaders of tomorrow for Nissan dealers, apprentices not only learn technical skills but are taught about the automotive industry as a whole, exposed to dealership operations, encouraged to be customer focused, and shown the importance of taking pride in the quality of their work.
WPC Group’s experienced team provides ongoing mentoring support through regular workplace and class training session visits, monitoring and liaising with institutes for training reports, managing any issues, and many other avenues to create an encouraging environment for the apprentices and partners involved.
Nissan employer partners confidently view NISSMAP as a productive and cost-effective investment in developing world class technicians to meet current and future industry needs.
Career Pathways
Retaining valued staff within the industry is an increasing challenge facing the automotive sector, particularly now with a challenging labour market and more jobs than people. Modern strategies and practices have been implemented to attract high calibre individuals into a career with Nissan through the NISSMAP apprenticeship program.
Upon completion of NISSMAP, apprentices have the option to undertake a fourth year of study and to complete their Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, becoming dual trade with the ability to work on air conditioning systems in vehicles also.
Post NISSMAP, when Certified Nissan Technician status has been achieved, the pathway continues on to progressing as an Advanced Technician, and Master Technician.
NISSMAP is the beginning step in a person's career with Nissan, as the brand has a focus on retaining and developing staff for their future.
Successful Outcomes
At the end of 2019, NISSMAP held a national retention rate of 87%.
WPC Group’s proven ability to source high calibre talent through innovative recruitment practises combined with Nissan’s supportive and structured mentoring has delivered industry leading retention rates of 82% (the Automotive industry average is 49%).
Awards/Recognition
NISSMAP Apprentices winning GOLD in World Skills competitions in NSW & VIC
WINNER – Australian Training Awards 2016
FINALIST (Apprentice)– Victorian Training Awards 2015 & 2017
WINNER – Kangan Institute Apprentice of the year 2017
FINALIST - Queensland Training Awards ‘Harry Hauenschild’ Apprentice of the Year - Metropolitan region 2021
“Our apprentice program NISSMAP is something that all of us at Nissan are extremely proud of. Our partnership with WPC Group is all about sourcing the correct apprentice for each dealership and keeping them on the NISSMAP journey; instilling a passion for our brand, our product, our history and our technologies, whilst having apprentices be more productive sooner and with a much higher retention rate.”
Anthony Frederiksen | Technical Trainer, Nissan Australia