Cummins on a talent mission

Cummins is continuing its drive to attract bright and ambitious new talent to its business in Europe.

The task is a complex one as different countries take different approaches to youth employment and career development, with some providing more structured support than others.

For example, in the UK, Germany, Poland, Spain and Turkey – where Cummins’ facilities are based - there are established apprenticeship programmes and vocational training available nationally, however in other European countries companies rely more on student placement and other initiatives to attract new people.

Regardless, Cummins is committed to find the best route to growing its pool of talent across the region in readiness for the challenges and opportunities presented by shifting economies and the evolution of new technologies.

Dean Hallam, HR Project Management Manager – Europe ABO, said modern apprenticeships were an attractive option not just for starting a career but for advancing and developing within an organisation.

“Apprenticeships today are more desirable as the scope is so much wider. They are a smart option, for people who want to learn, gain new experiences and get a respected qualification all while being paid.

“There are more than 650 apprenticeship schemes approved for delivery in the UK and age is no barrier: with educational assistance funded through the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy you can be anywhere in your career and if you want to learn something new, you can, right up to Masters level.”

Cummins offers apprenticeships not just in manufacturing and engineering but also in many fields including Quality, Human Resources, IT, Finance and Leadership, reflecting the diversity of the career paths available within the organisation and showing commitment for individual development throughout the business.

“We have great success across our European business in relation to attracting placement students and graduates and we would love to see the success we have seen with apprentices in the UK repeated across the region.

“We have more than 100 active apprentices in the UK and a number of current employees using apprenticeships to learn new skills. It’s a great way to improve retention of employees because they will start with the company and then develop and grow, absorbing the corporate values, behaviours and goals.

“There’s a huge loyalty dividend that comes from demonstrating your commitment to helping an employee achieve their potential.”