Foundation Degree Apprentice

Kick‑start your Career with Nissan!

Start your career. Gain recognised qualifications. Build a future with us.

Looking for a role where you can learn fast, grow fast, and actually enjoy coming to work? If you’re motivated, curious, and ready to build real-world skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you organised, good with numbers, and keen to learn how big businesses really work? Nissan Sunderland is offering an exciting opportunity to join our Payroll Team as a Foundation Degree Payroll Apprentice — a fully structured 5‑year programme designed to set you up for a long‑term professional career.

This is more than an apprenticeship. It’s a clear development pathway that combines real-life experience, expert coaching, and nationally recognised qualifications — all while you earn a salary.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll get hands-on experience from day one, including:

• Learning how things really work behind the scenes
• Working with modern tools, software and technology
• Supporting real projects that make a real impact on employees
• Developing skills, you can use for the rest of your career

From day one, you’ll be part of a supportive payroll team handling real responsibilities in a large, complex organisation. Over time, you’ll build full end‑to‑end payroll experience, including:

• Learning how payroll works from start to finish
• Processing new starters and leavers
• Running and reconciling payroll reports
• Supporting payroll systems, exports, imports and integrations
• Answering payroll, tax and coding queries
• Working with HMRC and supporting tax-related activities
• Gaining exposure to benefits, pensions and allowance schemes
• Understanding how payroll supports thousands of employees

You’ll grow in confidence and capability each year as your responsibility increases.

Qualifications You’ll Achieve

During the programme, you’ll work towards recognised payroll qualifications:

• Level 3 Payroll Administrator
• Level 5 Payroll Assistant Manager (Foundation Degree equivalent) *

There’s also scope to progress further into specialised payroll or finance pathways after Level 5.

*Qualifications may be subject to change

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need years of experience — we’re looking for potential, curiosity and commitment.

• A positive, can‑do mindset and customer focus
• Willingness to learn and ask questions
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Basic IT confidence (we’ll help you build the rest)
• An interest and aptitude for numbers
• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
• An interest in payroll, finance, tax or business

Entry Requirements

To join the programme, you’ll need:

• GCSE Maths Grade 7 (or equivalent)
• GCSE English Language or Literature Grade 6 or above (or equivalent)
• Two additional subjects at Grade 6 or above (or equivalent)

What You’ll Get in Return

• Full training and ongoing support
• A welcoming team who want you to succeed
• Clear progression and development opportunities
• Valuable skills and experience for your CV
• Competitive pay and benefits

Salary & Progression

• Starting salary: £17,400.68
• Salary reviewed every 6 months, with progression linked to performance and development

 Why Join Nissan?

• Earn while you learn
• Gain respected qualifications
• Develop skills employers’ value
• Be supported by an experienced team
• Build a long-term career in a global organisation
• You’ll grow personally and professionally
• You’ll be part of something that matters

Ready to Apply?

If you’re excited by the idea of learning, growing, and starting your career the right way, apply now.