Our employees – The key to our success
Highly qualified and motivated people drive our success. That’s why we’ve always been intensely committed to the training and continuing education of our employees worldwide.
About 9,900 young people are currently enrolled in our vocational training and work-study programs, including 6,300 from Siemens and 3,600 from other companies. We offer a comprehensive range of training programs, preparing participants for new types of jobs in business administration, information technology, metalworking and electrical engineering. In addition, we sponsor special programs for high school graduates and work-study programs for university students.
Hands-on training
Siemens is exporting its work-study system, which combines theory and practice, to many of its Regional Companies around the world. Outside Germany, about 3,100 young people are currently enrolled in Siemens apprenticeship programs, which have been adapted to country-specific requirements. These programs enable us to maintain an outstanding workforce, which in turn contributes to the high quality of our products and services. In Germany, we receive about 50,000 applications each year for our educational and training programs, with our popular work-study offerings attracting particularly top-notch applicants.
Cultivating a highly qualified workforce
We’re constantly raising the educational standards that our employees have to meet. In 2007, 31 percent of our new hires had university degrees. To meet our large need for university graduates, we establish contacts with university students – particularly those majoring in engineering, the natural sciences and economics – at an early stage and foster their development. Our Generation21 education initiative offers ambitious young people opportunities to acquire academic qualifications and practical experience in a multinational environment through a number of international programs and partnerships.
Engineers and scientists account for some 55 percent of all our university-educated employees.
Our work-study and internship programs, which attract a large number of applicants every year, are an excellent way for young people to get to know Siemens better. Our TOPAZ program enables students who’ve been specially recommended by their advisors to take part in interdisciplinary seminars and hands-on international projects. Our YOLANTE program provides up-and-coming engineers and scientists with mentoring, practical experience and a close-up view of our Company. In both TOPAZ and YOLANTE, young talents receive the support and guidance they need to prepare for successful careers. We also award scholarships – coupled with internships and special training programs at the Company – to international students in master’s programs.
Springboard for careers
For university graduates just beginning their careers, we offer more than direct entry opportunities. Our two-year Siemens Graduate Program, which trains the managers of tomorrow, has three parts, each of which offers participants an insight into a different aspect of Siemens – for example, purchasing, product development, sales and marketing. The program also includes a stint at one of our locations outside the participant’s home country.
Professional development through continuing education
When people join Siemens, their education doesn’t stop. In fact, it’s just beginning. To continually broaden the basis of our success, we offer a wide range of training and continuing education programs – from management and language courses to seminars in technical fields – that enhance our employees’ qualifications, foster their development and equip them to excel throughout their working lives.