Exclusive shots show the progress of BAE Systems’ brand new shipbuilding Academy being built at their Scotstoun site in Glasgow, the £12m academy represents a significant commitment to workforce development.
The Academy will comprise of a Modern Trade Hall and a Flexible Learning Hub, it will support the development of the entire workforce, from apprentices to senior leaders, and forms part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to develop future talent.
BAE Systems said in a release that the academy will accelerate the modernisation of Glasgow’s historic shipbuilding industry, upskilling the existing workforce whilst attracting new talent to secure its future for “generations to come”.
“A historic industrial building will be retrofitted to become the Modern Trade Hall, with areas dedicated to each shipbuilding trade, ship-realistic mock up environments and research & technology facilities. Immediately adjacent will be a Flexible Learning Hub, containing more than 30 classrooms, a STEM innovation lab and office facilities.
On completion in the second half of 2024, the Shipbuilding Academy will provide bespoke training for almost 4,500 employees, including nearly 700 apprentices. These new facilities will also enable a substantial expansion of the successful early careers programmes at BAE Systems, doubling the intake in Glasgow to more than 200 new apprentices each year.”
Paul Feely, Academy and Engineering Director, BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, was quoted previously as saying:
“This new training facility is an exciting demonstration of our commitment to shipbuilding on the Clyde, allowing us to further support thousands of highly skilled jobs in Scotland. Our investment in Glasgow will help us to deliver the national endeavour that is the Type 26 programme and ensure that we can provide navies around the world with a competitive edge in the decades to come.”
Rex Cox, Chief Executive Officer, National Shipbuilding Office, was quoted previously as saying:
“Our work with the UK Shipbuilding Skills Task Force identified the urgent need to invest in shipbuilding skills. At the National Shipbuilding Office, we are heartened to see such tangible action being taken in response to our collective call for upskilling the industry and we look forward to the positive impact this academy will have on our national shipbuilding capabilities.”
The Academy in Glasgow is the third dedicated training facility which BAE Systems has created, following similar investments in Samlesbury and Barrow-in-Furness in the North West of England. Together, the facilities support the training and development of BAE Systems’ near 40,000 strong workforce across the UK.
These investments will greatly enhance the productivity of the shipyards to support the delivery of the eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy and potential future orders.
wed be lucky if we could afford to send five off our ships to a French port at the same time
Wrong Thread ?
An all too rare, and badly needed, private sector investment in the future. The current consensus is to import skills and low-level labour en-mass, in order to depress wages & costs: and society can go hang.
Nice to see an employer doing this. Too many bemoan the difficulty in recruiting people with the right skills. Rather than moan, this is what you do about it: you train people.
I wonder if the HMCS City Class has anything to do with them?The RCN has some Irving contractors providing 10 or so type 26ers for them.I wonder what kind of 26ers they will be 26er of London Dock Schnapps ,”good scotch”, C&C Vodka???Maybe they will be some sort of 26er like a “Harvey wallbanger”.