Introduction

Siemens is the engineering group that is behind many of the products and services people take for granted in their daily lives. The list of products designed and manufactured by Siemens is almost endless. It includes traffic lights, gas turbines, superconducting magnets in medical scanners, wind generators, automated factories as well as domestic appliances like kettles and fridges. It generates about 40% of the UK's wind energy and it hosts, supports and maintains the BBC's website including the development of the BBC iPlayer. The company has been operating in the UK since 1843 and employs more than 18,000 people. Across the world Siemens employs over 427,000 people.

Engineers use scientific principles to develop products or systems to solve real life problems. Much of engineering is about innovation rather than invention. This means that engineers transform creative ideas into improved products, services, technologies or processes. A career within the field of engineering is exciting and varied as the work is constantly changing. Becoming an engineer at Siemens is about using energy, ideas and passion. It requires a range of skills and abilities that are needed across the whole business.

Siemens provides opportunities for young people at all levels to enter the world of engineering. It recruits at a number of different levels. For example:

• Siemens offers apprenticeshipsfor those entering the company with GCSEs.
•  There are programmes for individuals with A-levels that provide work experience alongside the opportunity to study for a degree.
• Siemens also recruits undergraduates and graduates into professional engineering jobs.

  

It goes beyond the standard approaches to attracting good people because its employees enable it to be competitive. This approach has led to Siemens becoming an open culture with opportunities for employees at all levels.

People can enter a career in engineering at many levels. Professional engineers usually enter after a three- or four-year university degree. Others may enter as apprentice technicians following studies at school or college. However, regardless of entry level Siemens employees enjoy wide-ranging opportunities for further education and training. This can take the job in many different directions.

By following an engineering career Siemens people have the opportunity to move into other disciplines. For instance, they may go into areas such as research, manufacturing, sales and marketing, finance or project management.