Siemens Automotive Sets Education as Next Benchmark
16 December 1998
Siemens Automotive Sets Education as Next Benchmark
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 15 -- As the need for highly-
skilled engineers and technicians persists throughout the nation, Siemens is
going to the "heart of the matter" and launching a proactive campaign on
education and professional development. Siemens Corp. today announced two
newly established national scholarship programs -- the Siemens Award for
Advanced Placement and the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology
Competition.
Siemens Automotive (AT), like its parent organization, suffers from a need
for additional highly-skilled scientists and engineers in the U.S. and, as a
result, has established programs beginning at the local level to foster the
study of science, math, technology and continuing education.
Beginning at the high school and college levels, Siemens has developed
several educational reward for excellence programs. In conjunction with the
National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Siemens sponsors a college scholarship
program for children of Siemens employees. Each four-year Merit Scholarship
winner will be awarded $4,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate
study.
In addition to the scholarships, Siemens AT offers co-op programs for
local college students, as well as international students. "This year, we've
hired more than 50 co-ops students to assist with a heavy workload," said Eric
Mathews, Siemens AT human resources consultant. "Co-ops are a win-win
situation. They provide the students with 'real-world' experience to
supplement their in-class education and allow Siemens to teach and evaluate
future employees from the beginning of their career," Mathews added.
Many Siemens engineers also dedicate time to participate in metro Detroit
high school science and technology competitions. This year, Siemens AT
engineers will be assisting Rochester Adams High School students in the
USFirst Competition, a robot design and construction competition. "This is a
great opportunity for our engineers to meet and work with future colleagues.
Combining our knowledge and years of experience with the student's new ideas
provides a unique opportunity for all of us," said Don Kerska, Siemens AT
director of powertrain systems integration and competition participant.
"Developing an interest in science and technology at an early age is one
of the keys to developing a strong engineering workforce," said George Perry,
president and CEO of Siemens Automotive North America. "As we move into an
even greater electronic and scientific age, the need for technicians, computer
science specialists and engineers will increase. Encouraging students to
develop and pursue interests in science not only will help ensure their
future, but the future for this nation's continuance as a world industrial/
technology leader," Perry explained.
Education continues beyond school
While it is imperative to recruit young, sufficiently-skilled engineering
graduates, Siemens also places equal value on the continual training and
development of the veteran engineers to ensure competitiveness at every level
of the organization.
Siemens AT encourages the pursuit of higher education with the 100 percent
advanced reimbursement for graduate school tuition, text books and
administration fees. In addition, Siemens AT encourages all employees to
attend industry seminars related to each individual's area of expertise to
further increase their knowledge and competitiveness.
"We place a strong emphasis on professional development and continuing
education," Perry said. "There is a great deal of competition in this
industry and innovation and knowledge are our greatest sources of power in
keeping a competitive advantage."
Siemens AT also encourages language lessons for employees. "The world is
becoming a much smaller place with the globalization of the world's
industries," Perry explained. "While English is the official global business
language of Siemens, we encourage our employees to learn new languages and
become familiar with different cultures." Many Siemens AT employees are
encouraged to consider assignments abroad not only to further their own career
but for the invaluable experience gained by working in foreign markets.
Education, at every level, has become a key factor in developing, hiring
and retaining top-notch employees at Siemens Automotive. "If we are to become
a world-class company, we must secure world-class employees," Perry stated.
"We cannot successfully run this organization without talented, intelligent
employees. We must constantly raise the bar to maintain world-class status."
Siemens Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive and electrical-
electronic systems and components with applications covering powertrain
systems, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, electric motor drives,
driver information systems and diesel systems. Worldwide sales in fiscal year
1998 increased 25 percent (5.5 billion DM) over 1997 FY sales (4.4 billion
DM). This year, Siemens Automotive exceeded $1 billion in North American
sales for the first time in the history of the company. The parent
organization, Siemens AG, the world's second leading manufacturer of
electronics capital goods, generated sales of $64 billion in 1997 and
presently employs 386,000 people