Question time for Deputy Prime Minister at Siemens Newcastle 18 June 2013

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg took questions from 100 employees at Siemens, Newcastle last Friday (14 June 2013) in an informal session organised by the alongside the Local Economic Partnership.

The session focused on a variety of issues ranging from skills, regional investment and investment in renewable energy, while Siemens Energy itself called for more focus on delivering apprenticeships and investing in engineering skills to secure the UK's recovery.

"I am here today to support manufacturing and regional employers that are committed to creating growth in the region," said Clegg.

"Siemens plays a critical role in the UK when it comes to greening the economy, and developing the technologies that will underpin a sustainable energy mix in the years ahead," he added.

"It was great to hear from the Deputy Prime Minister, who talked a lot about the future of skills and renewable energy," said Siemens training centre manager Mark Armstrong.

"I was interested to hear about plans to encourage more apprentices too: I think they are very important for getting young people into work, especially in North East."

Siemens was selected to host the visit as one of the leading engineering employers in the region. The Newcastle site has 900 employees and 2,000 across the region.

Siemens was also selected because of its reputation for investment in skills and training, including £9 million in the Energy Service Training Centre.

"We very much welcome the Deputy Prime Minister's focus on growth, industrial policy and skills today," stated Graham Hartley, managing director, Siemens Energy Service UK.

"This resonates with what we are doing as a business by investing in our people and infrastructure. We have used today to call on the government to further invest in the renewable energy sector and ramp up the focus on skills and apprenticeships, so we can begin to close the skills deficit our sector faces."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Siemens Energy Services
Siemens Industry Ltd

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