The new £1million international competition recognises outstanding advances in engineering. The inaugural prize will be presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in spring 2013. Professor Hüttl is a member of the distinguished selection panel.
In his keynote speech, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of manufacturing and engineering for creating economic growth, and praised the tradition of engineering excellence in Britain and Germany.
In the afternoon, Mr Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable visited the Siemens Gas Turbine Plant in Berlin, where they toured the facilities and met apprentices. Siemens has just announced that it will double its intake of UK apprentices in September 2012 from 80 to 160. Speaking after the announcement, Nick Clegg said:
"Apprenticeships give young people an invaluable opportunity to learn on the job and allow employers like Siemens to build a workforce with the practical skills their business needs.
It is a telling fact that Sir William Siemens himself, who founded Siemens in the UK 169 years ago, progressed from the shop floor to the top floor, having started his career as an apprentice."
