04-12-2012, 05:41 PM
Siemens
siemens_13_full.pdf (Size: 1.11 MB / Downloads: 51)
Introduction
Siemens is a leading technology business and one of the largest electrical and electronics
engineering companies in the world. In the UK, it employs over 20,000 people and is in the
top three electrical and electronics companies in the world. It has been a pioneer in
innovation since 1843 when Siemens installed the first street light in Godalming, Surrey. In
2006, Siemens UK invested over £74.4 million on research and development.
The company designs and manufactures products and services for both industrial customers
and consumers. It operates in three main sectors:
• In industry, Siemens develops systems for transport, for example, London’s traffic
monitoring for its congestion charge scheme. It is also the second largest provider of trains
for major UK rail companies like FirstGroup. Siemens also provides lighting and electrical
systems for major construction projects.
• In energy, Siemens’ work is wide-ranging. It makes systems for transmitting and distributing
power for power companies including building power stations and wind farms. It also
provides energy metering services, for example, water meters for businesses and consumers.
• In healthcare, it specialises in equipment to help medical diagnosis, such as MRI scanners
and imaging technology. It also provides equipment for testing blood in laboratories.
Siemens’ technology appears in every aspect of everyday life, for example:
• the electronic ‘eye’ (Hawk Eye) helps umpires in tennis and cricket matches
• 9 out of 10 cars contain Siemens products
• 20,000 domestic products like toasters are used in homes every day
• systems such as Pelican crossings keep people safe - car parking systems help guide traffic
quickly to free spaces, keeping traffic moving and reducing pollution on the roads.
Identifying training needs
For a business to be competitive, it is important that it has the right number of people with the
right skills in the right jobs. Workforce planning enables Siemens to audit its current staff
numbers and the skills it has in place as well as identify where it has skills gaps needed to meet
its business objectives. For instance, Siemens is relocating its main plant in Lincoln to a
bigger site outside the main city. This will require new skills for the work to be done there. A plan
has been constructed to analyse which skills the company has and what training will be needed
for staff to use the new technology in the new location.
Apprenticeships
Siemens offer a variety of technical apprenticeships, aimed at school leavers who want to
'earn as they learn'. Apprentices can join a variety of engineering/IT apprenticeships across a
variety of locations in the UK, although the majority start their working life from their home
town working at their local Siemens site. Apprenticeship training is a combination of off-thejob
college training and on-the-job work experience. Apprentices work to achieve their HND
qualifications in their related field. Entry requirements vary depending on the programme, but
fundamentally applicants require good communication skills and the ability to work in a team.
Siemens Commercial Academy
The Siemens Commercial Academy was launched in 2005 to further enhance the pipeline of
financial and commercial capability within Siemens. The programme lasts four years and is
regarded as an alternative to going directly to university. Aimed at students who have a keen
interest in Business and Finance, the programme enables students to rotate around various
finance and commercial placements including Accounting, HR, Procurement and Corporate
areas. The trainees who join the programme split their time between studying towards an HND
in Business with Finance and working at Siemens. Students study towards the degree at the
European College of Business Management, as well as take part in personel development
training such as communication and presentation skills. IT courses and German language
training are also available.
Siemens Graduate Programmes
Siemens recruits graduates into three core areas of the business:
• Engineering – including electrical/electronic, mechanical/mechatronic systems,
broadcast, process and manufacturing
• IT – covering research, development, design and consultancy
• Business – including finance, HR, sales, project and operational management.
All Siemens graduate recruits are treated as individuals. They enter the business with relevant
skills, knowledge and experience and the potential to do many different roles. Each graduate
has a discussion with his or her line manager when they start, to decide on their individual
training and development plan.
Where appropriate Siemens supports graduates to gain further qualifications. These include
gaining chartered engineer status through institutions such as IET or IMechE. The typical
graduate profile is varied.
Craig Finlayson graduated from the University of Paisley with a degree in Information
Technology. He worked on the BBC account in London within the project finance team. He
now works in Sales Support and Portfolio on various projects.
Anna Carder, HR Graduate, joined Siemens in 2006 from Aston University with a BSc in
Managerial and Administrative Studies. Anna is currently in her third and final placement in
the Recruitment & Sourcing team of Global Shared Services. She has previously worked in
two other placements in Corporate Personnel where she worked as part of the Talent
Management team followed by an HR operational placement within Siemens Traffic Controls
in Poole. Siemens are currently supporting Anna in her studies for her CIPD qualification
through distance learning.
Development
The costs of recruiting staff are high. It is far more cost effective to keep good staff. Siemens
need well-trained employees with good key skills and capabilities, especially communication
and team working skills. This gives Siemens a competitive advantage as employees will be
more flexible, adaptable to change and be more creative and innovative. They do their jobs
better and are able to develop into other roles in the future.
Siemens implemented the Siemens Graduate Development Programme in 2005, as a means
of developing graduates with the essential skills set they need in their everyday role and to
equip them for a long-term career at Siemens. Every graduate that joins Siemens, regardless
of role or location joins the 2 year programme. This consists of 9 modules including team
working, customer focus, project management, communication skills, and business writing.
The training is hosted at a number of Siemens sites, so graduates get exposure to different
parts of Siemens, learn about the business, and network amongst the graduate population.
Conclusion
Training and development helps the growth of a business. Siemens has a clear focus on
having a well-motivated and trained workforce. The company needs to have motivated and
confident staff who have up-to-date skills in order to remain competitive. In addition,
well-trained staff are an asset to the business and help to retain customers. Well-trained staff
who remain with the business mean that customers enjoy continuity. This contributes to
customer loyalty and leads to repeat business.