WASHINGTON — Siemens has announced its 2,000th veteran hiring since the company began participating in the Joining Forces initiative in 2011, and has committed to hire an additional 500 veterans over the next five years. Additionally, Siemens Product Lifecycle Management software business has committed to train 500 veterans in high-tech software platforms. Helmed by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, Joining Forces works to support and honor America’s service members and their families.
Siemens has proudly participated in the White House’s Joining Forces initiative since its inception. The company started out with a goal of hiring 300 veterans but has since exceeded its initial commitment by more than six times.
“At Siemens, we know we have a responsibility to help our veterans live the American dream they helped defend,” said Eric Spiegel, president and CEO, Siemens Corporation. “We are committed to supporting veterans as they return to the civilian workforce. We have comprehensive recruitment and training programs in place and have a dedicated network to support our company’s veteran community.”
Richard McCulley, a Systems Specialist with the Siemens Building Technologies Division, is the 2000th veteran hired by the company since signing on to the Joining Forces initiative. Based in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, McCulley joined Siemens in March 2016 and brings nearly a decade of military service from both the Navy and Army. During his time in the Navy, McCulley served aboard the Aircraft Carrier John C. Stennis, including a nine-month western pacific tour aboard the ship. He transferred into the Army, where he became a signal support systems specialist and was deployed to Iraq in 2009-2010. This experience translates well into McCulley’s role at Siemens where he is responsible for configuring building automation systems for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technology. The role requires a combination of computer skills and hands-on system work, and allows for future growth in more complex project management and technology coordination.
McCulley said Siemens and the military have some similarities – especially when it comes to organization size and approach to training. “Siemens will train me, prepare me, and pay for my tools so I can do my job,” he said, much like the military does.
The U.S. military is one of the most technologically advanced enterprises in the world. As brave men and women leave military service and return to civilian life, the extensive technical training and experience they have gained make them uniquely qualified for jobs in a variety of industries around the world. At Siemens, the skills military veterans possess translate into a range of roles from corporate leadership to project management, field service, and manufacturing.
“In addition to their technical background, these employees have proven leadership experience and can navigate complex, fast-paced environments working independently or in teams,” said Spiegel. “Hiring veterans is not just the right thing to do, it’s good for business. Our veteran employees are a huge asset to the company, and we appreciate their dedication to Siemens.”
One of the biggest challenges many organizations face is a shortage of workers with backgrounds in technical training and information technology. With additional training, America’s veterans, experienced in highly sophisticated technological environments, can help fill this gap.
In addition to the more than $50 million Siemens spends annually for job training programs in the U.S., as part of their recent announcement, Siemens will offer job training for 500 U.S. military veterans over the next five years. This veteran job training initiative, run by the Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software business in cities across the country, provides free training in the use of state-of-the-art digital lifecycle management and computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE) and product data management software technology. Through this effort, Siemens will invest up to $17,000 per eligible veteran for access to training that will help enhance veterans’ qualifications for skilled positions in manufacturing industries around the world, including automotive, aerospace, energy, and machinery. Upon completion of the training, veterans can then present themselves as qualified candidates for positions with Siemens or the more than 140,000 customers who use Siemens’ PLM technology around the world.
“The ongoing software revolution has created a critical demand for qualified technology-trained professionals,” said Chuck Grindstaff, president and CEO, Siemens PLM Software. “It is important that we make training in advanced manufacturing technologies and practices available, so our veterans can be successful in a highly competitive job market.”
“We find veterans to be natural leaders, with the dedication, determination and strong skill set to help them jump in and get the job done. This has proven to be invaluable to Siemens,” said Mike Panigel, chief human resources officer, Siemens Corporation. “I am a veteran myself, having served in my native country of South Africa, so I can personally identify with the experience of transitioning to the civilian workforce. As a relatively new American citizen, I’m proud to work for a company that is partnering with the White House on this important initiative.”
Siemens was named a “2015 Best for Vets” employer by Military Times, recognized for its demonstrated commitment to recruit, hire and retain qualified veterans. It also earned the 2016 Military Friendly Employer designation of GI Jobs and Military Spouse magazines. Siemens was ranked #1 on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list in the electronics category.
For more information on Siemens’ veterans initiatives, visit: http://www.usa.siemens.com/en/jobs_careers/veterans.htm
For more information on the Siemens PLM veteran training program, visit: http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/academic/regional-programs/military-veterans.shtml
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