Thousands of young people across Britain will get the chance to discover the world of engineering, science and technology as Siemens Mobility launches Tech Experience Launchpad, a next-generation work experience programme designed to inspire the engineers and innovators of tomorrow.
Combining digital learning with real-world, hands-on experiences, the programme will create more than 3,300 opportunities every year, reaching 10,000 young people over three years, supporting the Government's national mission to deliver an additional 200,000 work experience opportunities for 14–16-year-olds.
Siemens Tech Experience Launchpad will give young people the opportunity to meet engineers, explore real-world challenges and discover how advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and digital technology are transforming Britain through experiences across its UK operations.
The programme builds on Siemens's £360 million investment in British rail manufacturing and technology, including up to £240 million in Goole, Yorkshire, and £100 million in Chippenham, alongside £20 million in UK research and development.
The launch coincided with the official opening of Siemens's new £100 million Rail Technology Centre in Chippenham, Wiltshire, attended by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham joined pupils from 16 schools, including 30 children attending in person and over 1,000 more joining online, for a major national Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) lesson hosted by a BAFTA-winning children's presenter Maddie Moate.
Designed for 11–12-year-olds, the interactive lesson introduced pupils to the engineering and technology behind Britain's railways through hands-on challenges, demonstrations and opportunities to meet apprentices and engineers from Siemens.
The aim is to help children make the connection between the science they learn at school and the jobs in which those skills are used every day. With just 6.8% of Britain's rail workforce aged 25 or under, according to the National Skills Academy for Rail, inspiring young people to consider careers in engineering and technology is increasingly important.
Siemens already plays a leading role in developing skills across Britain's rail industry through the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR), which supports training across the sector. Together with its Education & Skills team, the company has trained or educated more than 28,000 people since opening in 2015.
Siemens Mobility is also calling on its network of approximately 2,100 suppliers and wider rail industry partners to help create more work experience opportunities for young people across Britain.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Too many young people never get the chance to find out what kind of job they could excel at and enjoy as a career. We have to change that."
"That’s why I'm asking businesses to open their doors to give young people a proper first look at the world of work.
“Siemens Mobility is doing exactly that, giving 10,000 young people hands-on experience of engineering and technology and inspiring thousands more through its national science lesson."
Rob Morris, Managing Director of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, said:
“Britain's railways are changing fast. From AI and digital technology to advanced manufacturing, we need a new generation of engineers and innovators to shape their future.
“Our £360 million investment in Britain is about more than building world-class rail facilities. It's about creating skilled jobs, developing talent and strengthening the industrial capabilities Britain needs for the future.
“Through the Siemens Tech Experience Launchpad programme, we're opening our doors to 10,000 young people, giving them meaningful, hands-on experiences and the chance to see the exciting careers available in engineering and technology. Because investing in Britain's railways also means investing in the people who will build, maintain and transform them."
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport said:
"Siemens Mobility’s new rail technology centre is a real boost for Chippenham and a vote of confidence in Britain's rail industry. The digital signalling produced on site will help our railways become more reliable and safer, whilst strengthening our skills base by supporting hundreds of local jobs and apprenticeships.
"With fewer than 7% of rail workers aged under 25, attracting new talent is vital. Programmes like Siemens Mobility's Tech Experience Launchpad programme will help inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators, helping to build the workforce Great British Railways needs for the future."
Aglaja Schneider, Managing Director of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, said:
"Seeing the excitement and curiosity of the children taking part in today's national STEM lesson has been incredibly special. I started my own career as a graduate at Siemens Mobility, so I know first-hand how important those early opportunities can be. I particularly hope today's lesson inspires more girls to see the possibilities that engineering and technology can offer.
“That's what our Tech Experience Launchpad is about. With up to 70,000 workers potentially leaving Britain's rail industry by 2030, investing in future talent has never been more important.
“As a key partner to the railway, we're investing in Britain's future through our people, technology and manufacturing capabilities. From the Rail Technology Centre here in Wiltshire, to our Goole Rail Village in Yorkshire, our £360 million investment in the UK is a powerful example of that commitment, creating opportunities in advanced engineering and manufacturing, while helping to develop the next generation of skilled talent who will build and shape Britain's future railways.”
Becky Worsey, Assistant Chief Engineer at Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, who took part in the STEM lesson, said:
"As an engineer and a mum to a ten-year-old daughter that wants to have a job like mine, I want young people to see that engineering is for them. There are so many different routes into the industry and career options behind the railways people use every day.
"If children get the opportunity to meet an engineer, walk into a place like our new state-of-the-art Rail Technology Centre and understand that the science they are learning at school is being used to solve real problems, those careers suddenly become much easier to imagine."
Steve Rafferty, Headteacher at Monkton Park Primary School said:
"Primary school is exactly the age when children start forming ideas about what they are good at and what they might want to do in the future, so it is important that we broaden those horizons early.
"For our pupils, having a major engineering employer like Siemens here in Chippenham makes those opportunities feel real and local. They can see that the science they are learning today could one day lead to a skilled career just a few miles from where they are growing up."
If your school is interested in this work experience scheme around our nationwide sites, please share your school name and location with info.mobility.gb@siemens.com.
