Thousands of New Apprenticeships and Graduate Jobs Announced at UK’s Biggest Defence Company
- BAE Systems has doubled its early careers intake in the past five years, contributing to the UK economy and offering exciting long-term careers.
- The company plans to recruit almost 1,300 graduates in 2024 - 1,100 more than five years ago.
- The early careers programs have a significant female representation, outperforming the industry average of 14% in England.
- The closing date for apprentice applications is 28 February 2024, potentially limiting the number of applicants.
- The breakdown of roles across the UK by region may fluctuate, impacting the final numbers.
Software engineering trainees working in BAE Systems’ digital, cyber and intelligence business. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Company has more than doubled its early careers intake in the past five years, making a significant contribution to the
The Company’s award winning early careers schemes are vital to developing the talent pipeline needed to deliver critical national security capability. They also help to build the next generation of talented industrial leaders, with many former apprentices and graduates reaching the top ranks of the Company.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said:
“As the UK’s largest manufacturer, we have sites located right across the country and we’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds to equip young people with the skills they need to achieve their full potential.
“Providing high quality apprenticeships and graduate programmes gives young people a route into long-term employment and helps to grow the talent we need to deliver vital national defence and security programmes, including future fighter jets, nuclear-powered submarines and low earth orbit satellites.”
Minister for Higher Education, Apprenticeships and Skills, Robert Halfon, said:
“We need big employers on side in our efforts to build a skills and apprenticeships nation and this record-breaking announcement from BAE Systems is fantastic to see.
“Apprenticeships provide a ladder of opportunity for people to get in-demand skills and really push on in their careers, and these roles offered by a top apprenticeship employer will transform lives and boost growth right around the UK.”
More than 1,400 apprentices will join the Company, with the majority of roles based in the North of
The Company also plans to recruit almost 1,300 graduates in 2024 – that’s 1,100 more graduate positions compared to five years ago.
With more than 60 programmes available, there are opportunities at every level, from steelwork and electrical engineering to cyber security, software development, human resources and project management. Successful applicants have the chance to work on some of the world’s most advanced technology programmes including the Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s next-generation submarines known as SSN-AUKUS.
Megan Pearson, former Software Degree Apprentice, BAE Systems’ Air sector, said:
“Embarking on an apprenticeship with BAE Systems after I completed my A-Levels helped me become financially independent, which benefitted both me and my parents. I’ve had the chance to work on a range of exciting projects and the flexibility of my apprenticeship means that I’m experiencing lots of new things and not tying myself to any one profession.
“A lot of my friends struggled with the immediate mind-set shift from school to work, but my apprenticeship provided a complete package with helpful support and guidance. It’s the ideal route for bridging the gap between school and the workplace.”
Last year, BAE Systems invested approximately
Achieving a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace is vital to developing the Company’s future skills and talent pipeline. In 2023, almost a third of apprentice joiners to the business’ early careers programmes were female, significantly outperforming the industry average of
The closing date for apprentice applications is 28 February 2024. There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, April, July and September. Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/earlycareers
Additionally there are thousands of roles available across the
Early careers opportunities are just one part of the Company’s wider recruitment drive. BAE Systems is currently recruiting thousands of skilled workers from steelworkers to data scientists across the
Notes to Editors:
The breakdown of roles across the
*Numbers are based on current resource planning assumptions. There may be some small fluctuations in final numbers.
Region |
Business |
Apprentice roles |
Undergraduate roles |
Graduate roles |
Total |
|
Air – Prestwick |
- |
1 |
13 |
14 |
Air – Hillend |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
Land |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Maritime Services – Hillend |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
Naval Ships – |
198 |
26 |
53 |
277 |
|
Shared Services – |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
|
202 |
30 |
66 |
298 |
|
North West
|
Air – Warton & Samlesbury |
222 |
66 |
206 |
494 |
Digital Intelligence – |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Head Office – Barrow, Warton & Samlesbury |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Land |
8 |
3 |
- |
11 |
|
Land |
9 |
2 |
- |
11 |
|
Shared Services – Preston |
27 |
5 |
8 |
40 |
|
Submarines – Barrow |
649 |
100 |
244 |
989 |
|
|
916 |
176 |
460 |
1552 |
|
North East
|
Land |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
Air – Brough & Humberside |
53 |
6 |
37 |
96 |
|
Digital Intelligence – |
- |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
|
58 |
9 |
42 |
109 |
|
South East
|
Digital Intelligence – |
9 |
24 |
66 |
99 |
Electronic Systems – Rochester |
30 |
34 |
29 |
93 |
|
Head Office – Frimley & Portsmouth |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Maritime Services – |
- |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
Maritime Services – Portsmouth & Cowes |
109 |
34 |
40 |
183 |
|
Naval Ships – |
13 |
1 |
7 |
21 |
|
Shared Services - Frimley |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
|
Shared Services – |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Submarines – |
17 |
- |
17 |
34 |
|
|
182 |
97 |
164 |
443 |
|
South West
|
Air – Christchurch & Yeovil |
14 |
2 |
- |
16 |
Air – Filton |
- |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Digital Intelligence – |
- |
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
Maritime Services – Filton |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Naval Ships – Filton & Dorchester |
- |
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
Submarines – Filton & Weymouth |
15 |
- |
59 |
74 |
|
|
29 |
17 |
70 |
116 |
|
Land |
16 |
1 |
6 |
23 |
|
Shared Services - Glascoed |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
|
19 |
1 |
6 |
26 |
|
Other roles with
|
Head Office |
- |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Maritime Services |
- |
3 |
16 |
19 |
|
Naval Ships |
- |
11 |
47 |
58 |
|
Shared Services |
- |
- |
21 |
21 |
|
Submarines |
11 |
11 |
31 |
53 |
|
Other total |
11 |
26 |
116 |
153 |
|
Total |
1417 |
356 |
924 |
2697 |
We have individuals available for interview from across the
For imagery and apprentice and graduate case studies, please visit: https://baesys.resourcespace.com/?c=25119&k=4cfd497d38
About BAE Systems
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 93,100 people in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231204956875/en/
For more information, please contact:
Sean Hills, BAE Systems
M: +44 (0) 7827 991666
E: sean.hills3@baesystems.com
Andrew McDowell, BAE Systems
M: +44 (0) 7796 256974
E: andrew.mcdowell3@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems plc
Media hotline: +44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
@BAESystemsplc
Ref: 145/2023
Source: BAE Systems
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