SIEMENS employs around 2,000 staff across a number of businesses including the two divisions the TyneMet apprentices will work in

These are Siemens Energy Service, based in Newcastle, which is part of a world-leading service and maintenance business for conventional coal-fired and combined cycle power plants and wind power plants, and Siemens Transmission and Distribution, with offices at Hebburn and Monkton, the UK market leader in power transmission projects.

The company has a large and growing apprenticeship programme, which also includes the recent launch of a wind power technician training programme.

Speaking about the Siemens/TyneMet apprenticeship programme, Carl Ennis, managing director for Siemens Energy Service UK, said: “Developing the engineers of the future through practical apprenticeships in partnership with local colleges is a key focus of our skills and training. The partnership with Tyne Metropolitan is producing first-rate apprentices.”

Jon Vincent, principal of Tyne Metropolitan College, commenting on the success of the apprentices and the relationship with Siemens said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Siemens by helping to recognise the success of the apprentices.

“This college is passionate about engineering and the exciting career opportunities it can offer young people, especially with internationally renowned companies such as Siemens.”