Nissan Sunderland, which employs around 6,000 people, is on the hunt for 100 new people to join its manufacturing team, working across a range of roles as it gears up to begin production of the third-generation Qashqai model.

The Washington site, which supports thousands more jobs through its supply chain, will build the new hybrid e-power vehicle following a £400 million investment, including the unveiling of a £52 million XL press line last year.

The new Qashqai, which will feature an electric motor drive and a petrol engine to charge a battery - forms part of Nissan’s NEXT transformation plan, announced last year by the CEO and president of the Japanese car giant.

More than three million units of the Qashqai have been produced since it was launched in 2007, making it one of Nissan’s most popular models. Nissan says the roles on offer range include apprentices, maintenance technicians and temporary manufacturing staff.

Alan Johnson, vice president of manufacturing at the Nissan Sunderland plant, said: “These are exciting times at Nissan, with the all-new Qashqai soon to go into production. We are looking for world-class people to join our world-class manufacturing team.

“We are on the hunt for the talent of the future with our ‘outstanding’ rated apprentice scheme — if you think you have what it takes then get in touch.”

Nissan said there are a mixture of opportunities for both qualified maintenance technicians and apprentice maintenance technicians to join the plant’s long-established apprentice scheme.

The plant is also recruiting temporary manufacturing staff, on fixed term contracts, to operate on one of the plant’s two production lines producing the Qashqai, Juke and 100% electric Nissan Leaf.

Nissan Sunderland has a rich apprenticeship heritage and since the first intake in 1986 has hired more than 1,800 apprentices, some have gone on to fill top roles within Nissan globally.