Manchester, 2012-Sep-21
This month will see the start of the new Higher Apprenticeships qualification at Siemens, with an intake of seven apprentices at Siemens Power Transmission in Manchester. For the Power Transmission business this is the highest figure for entry level recruitment for over 15 years and reflects the business’ desire to develop “home-grown talent,” which is also locally recruited.
The seven apprentices join the Power Transmission business this week and will be based in Manchester. Siemens will work with Trafford College to deliver the course, which will combine academic study with practical work experience for this world leading engineering business.
New intake of higher apprentices at Siemens Power Transmission in Manchester
Mike Jones, human resources director for Siemens Energy UK said: ”Today’s news is a great example of Siemens investment in and commitment to UK skills. Siemens Power Transmission comprises many highly skilled engineering roles and activities and the choice of the Higher Apprenticeships is an important step forward for the business. It will help bridge the skills gap as well as provide the business with the next generation of skilled engineering employees.”
Siemens Power Transmission is UK market leader in power transmission projects designing and implementing innovative engineering solutions, including major grid connection projects for the UK’s rapidly growing offshore wind industry. The business is investing heavily in engineering skills and infrastructure locally, such as the multi-million pound investment in the Renewable Energy Engineering Centre at the Manchester site - the North West Europe Centre of Competence for grid connections. Siemens Power Transmission UK has around 500 highly-skilled employees based across four locations: Manchester, South Tyneside, Garforth in Yorkshire and Leith in Scotland. The goal of the Higher Apprenticeship programme is to progress the apprentices through to engineering status within the business.
The Higher Apprenticeship programme adds to Siemens already extensive apprenticeship offering, which includes new “green” engineering areas, such as renewables. In May this year Siemens announced a record intake of 160 apprentices for 2012, which includes 10 Higher Apprenticeships. Targeting school leavers with A-levels, Higher Apprenticeships offer a viable and affordable alternative to university. Siemens is offering these Higher Apprenticeship places in England and Wales this year, and the opportunity to progress onto Bachelor of Engineering courses.
Apprenticeships are part of a wider picture of investment in skills and training made by Siemens in the UK. Siemens is heavily involved in the vocational agenda, supporting three of the pioneering new University Technical Colleges, in Walsall, Lincoln and Yorkshire. Other initiatives include; £9m invested in the Energy Services Training Centre in Newcastle, a planned investment in a new Siemens Training Academy for Rail (STAR in partnership with National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering), and the award winning Engineering School in Lincoln.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 169 years ago and now employs 12,972 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.4 billion*. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
* Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue reported in annual or interim reports.
For more information, contact:
Rachel Odams
PR Manager
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1604696614
Mob: +44 (0)7808 824209
