Siemens has announced that in September 2012 its intake of UK apprentices will be 160, double the figure hired last year.
For the first time in decades the number of new UK apprentices at the firm is higher than that of graduates. Graduate intake has remained steady at around 100 per year. Siemens is now recruiting similar levels of apprentices in the UK compared with its global headquarters in Germany where the company has an established culture of apprenticeships.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and Business Secretary, Vince Cable, visited Siemens Gas Turbine Plant in Berlin. The Ministers toured the factory and met Siemens apprentices.
Mr Clegg said: “This is fantastic news. 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.
Mr Cable said: “Siemens has an excellent record in vocational training and like us they recognise that apprenticeships can take talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the boardrooms of our top British companies.”
