From Apprentice to Vice President: Peter Kamps of Siemens Industry, Inc.

The Industry Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT) works with many companies whose leaders started as apprentices. This is a true testament to the benefits of apprenticeship programs as well as the German Dual Education System, and highlights how apprenticeship programs train future leaders.

Peter Kamps, Vice President of Finance & Business Administration at Siemens, is one of those leaders. As a young adult, Kamps was very interested in math, and always considered finance as a career. He had the option to either pursue a four-year degree or complete an apprenticeship. Growing up in a small town, Kamps saw first-hand the incredible work that Siemens was providing for the community, and discovered that Siemens had a unique apprenticeship program for financial analysts.

To Kamps, an apprenticeship program was the best of both worlds: the program covered the theory of finance and business while also applying the techniques of what he learned on a daily basis. In addition to the theory and hands-on-learning, Kamps was introduced to the various components that ensure that the company runs efficiently: accounting, marketing, sales, and customer service. This experience ensured that Kamps understood all the moving parts of the company while also deepening his understanding of how his role as a financial analyst progressed the company.

Even though Kamps completed his apprenticeship more than 30 years ago, he continues to work for Siemens. “The lessons that I learned through my apprenticeship program at Siemens impacted me on not only a personal level, but also on a professional level. I advanced in my career because of the technical skills and business understanding I learned. To this day, I continue to be excited by working at Siemens.”

For Kamps, apprenticeship programs provide individuals a head start in their professional career. As a former apprentice, he believes that professional careers are strengthened through the knowledge gained by experiencing all components of the company.

To learn how the ICATT Apprenticeship Program can help train, retain, and grow your skilled workforce, click here.  Connect with the ICATT Apprenticeship Program on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.