Siemens launches factory run by apprentices
ENGINEERING group Siemens has opened what it describes as a “junior factory” run by apprentices at its electronic components facility in Congleton.
Siemens describes it as a factory within a factory that will be run by apprentices aged 16 to 21.
They will take on leadership roles and will be responsible for the factory’s progress. The initiative will be open to all apprentices and graduates.
The junior factory will assemble parts which were previously imported and the team will be responsible for sourcing and supply chain management, production of sub-assemblies, quality management, budgeting and transfer pricing alongside performance management.
Roland Aurich, chief executive of Siemens UK and Ireland said: “This is a really innovative project, and the aims are very clear – let’s train up our young apprentices for the long term challenges they will face in their careers whilst fostering a culture of innovation, autonomy and crucially – entrepreneurship.
“We need to make a bold statement in Siemens and across industry – be an engineering apprentice and you can go from the shop floor to the top floor and schemes like this help young people understand how an engineering apprenticeship can lead to a rewarding career.”
Richard Lawton an apprentice who is acting as the head of the Junior Factory said: “I never thought that as part of an apprenticeship I would be given the opportunity to take on this level of responsibility – not just training and learning but actually running the facility as a business. I am really looking forward to working with the team members and making the project a success over the coming year, and learning about how running a full assembly line works in practice.”
