Showing commitment

Demonstrating that its long-term commitment to UK manufacturing apprenticeships began some time ago, Siemens Mechanical Drives' first graduate apprentice has just come through a four-year course with flying colours.

Mike Peate, who has just graduated at Siemens Mechanical Drives, part of Siemens Industry Automation and Drive Technologies, joined as an apprentice and studied for an HNC in mechanical engineering at Bradford College, after achieving an ONC two years into his course. He has also achieved NVQ levels 2 and 3, and combined working towards these qualifications with hands-on experience in a broad range of manufacturing disciplines at the Siemens factory.He was mentored by Siemens graduate apprentice, Richard Durham, now production and quality manager at the Leeds site.

General manager Simon Nadin says: "Siemens is very committed to UK manufacturing and Mike is an excellent example of the type of apprentice we want to train, keep and nurture."