“Early careers opportunities like apprenticeships and graduate schemes are a critical part of UK manufacturing’s effort to take advantage of the digital transformation to the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Brian Holliday, managing director for Siemens Digital Industries. “Offering school leavers, university students and graduates a fulfilling career pathway is key to solving the skills gap in the technology, manufacturing and engineering industries. “We’ve brought a very diverse group of apprentices and graduates into our business. And guess what, when you throw tough stuff at them, they all step up, and they’re brilliant. By opening up our doors to 26 more young people we are committing to recruit, train and retain the next generation of innovators, and create high-value jobs in the North West.”