Siemens has announced that it is doubling its intake of UK apprentices to 160 in September 2012.
The number of new UK apprentices hired by the firm will now be higher than its graduate intake, which has remained steady at around 100 per year.
Siemens is now recruiting similar levels of apprentices in the UK as it does in Germany. Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable, toured Siemens’ gas turbine plant in Berlin yesterday and met with the firm’s apprentices.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Apprenticeships give young people an invaluable opportunity to learn on the job and allow employers like Siemens to build a workforce with the practical skills their business needs.”
Siemens’ new intake of UK apprentices will be based at offices and factories around the country from Motherwell in Scotland and Llanberis in Wales to Newcastle, Lincoln, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Eynsham and Poole.
More than half of the new apprentices will take up roles in the Energy Sector, 36 will join Siemens wind power services business with many others also benefitting from the growth and investment in renewable energy and green technology in the UK.
Roland Aurich, CEO at Siemens, commented: “Creating industry-ready skills and giving the confidence of aspiration to young people from all walks of life, is critical to address the serious skills shortage we face in industry.”
With the cost of going to university set to rise sharply this summer, the scheme at Siemens will allow apprentices to progress onto Bachelor of Engineering courses while earning a wage.
Toby Peyton-Jones, director of human resources at Siemens said: “The fact that we are taking on more apprentices than graduates for the first time in many years shows that the vocational route is regaining its rightful place in the aspirations of our young people in the UK.”
For more info: www.siemens.co.uk/careers
