BAE Systems is set to make a landmark £1 billion investment in education and skills by the end of 2025, building on its ambitious recruitment and training programmes.
The defence giant plans to hire more than 2,400 new apprentices, undergraduates, and graduates next year, bringing the total number in training to a record-breaking 6,500 – around 15% of its UK workforce.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, emphasised the importance of investing in talent to support the company’s cutting-edge projects.
“As the UK’s largest defence company, we rely on the skill and ingenuity of those who deliver our programmes, which is why it’s so crucial we continue to invest in our people,” he said.
The company’s focus on skills development includes the establishment of a new multi-million-pound skills academy in Glasgow, complementing existing facilities in Barrow and Samlesbury. Partnerships with colleges, universities, and initiatives like Movement to Work aim to further broaden its talent pipeline.
Defence Secretary John Healey hailed the investment as a critical boost to the UK’s defence sector and national security.
“Defence offers exciting careers, and this investment is a vote of confidence in the UK as a leader for cutting-edge employment, creating highly skilled jobs across the UK. National security is the foundation for national stability and growth. Our Defence Industrial Strategy will ensure our defence sector is an engine for jobs and growth, strengthening our security and our economy.”
BAE Systems’ 2025 intake will include nearly 1,300 apprentices, with the majority of roles based in the North of England but opportunities spanning the South of England, Scotland, and Wales.
The company also plans to hire more than 1,100 graduates and undergraduates, who will contribute to advanced programmes such as the Global Combat Air Programme and the next-generation SSN-AUKUS submarines.
First-year apprentice Francesca Di Mascio shared her experience:
“I joined BAE Systems because job security is important to me, and I wanted to work in a hands-on environment. Doing an apprenticeship is a great opportunity to earn while you learn, and this is the first time I’ve really felt valued after joining a business.”
In an effort to create a more inclusive workplace, BAE Systems has made strides in diversifying its workforce.
This year, say the firm, 30% of new apprentices are women – double the UK engineering community average – and one in three new graduate hires comes from an ethnic minority background.
The company’s hiring efforts are concentrated across the UK, with the North West leading the way at 1,515 roles, followed by the South and South East with 370, and Scotland with 204.
Apprenticeship applications close on 28 February 2025, while graduate roles offer multiple intake opportunities throughout the year.
In addition to early-career roles, BAE Systems is recruiting thousands of skilled professionals, from steelworkers to data scientists. The company’s efforts are aligned with its long-term vision of bolstering the UK’s industrial capabilities while supporting economic growth and technological innovation.
For more information and to apply, visit baesystems.com/earlycareers.
It’s astounding what BAE has achieved in the UK despite the UK not having the kind of industrial strategy the French have. One wonders if we made a commitment to continuous build programs on frigates, fighter jets and armoured vehicles what else could have been achieved.
Maybe we could even build a peoples car series. PureEV IMHO is premature and unnecessary especially for town dwelling people. So maybe we could spin out to 2040 for hybrids. All those trained engineers is fantastic for the country.
The optimist in me hopes that this is a sign that they know something that we don’t; that further defence investments are coming and they’re expecting commitments to further aircraft, ships, armoured vehicles etc.
The pessimist in me says that BAE supplies more to the US than the UK, so it’s not necessarily even our own investments that they’re anticipating.
It might just be that the current work in the pipeline is already enough for BAE to be this confident. They are the main contractor for AUKUS and probably GCAP too. Those are both massive and very expensive programmes with an almost zero chance of falling through.
Elements of both of those will be contracted as they have budget lines attached to them.
The best way of killing this is Rayner’s crazy workers rights ideas which will create a boom – in printing P45s – for all the dubious staff you are not sure you want to keep!
If it’s investing £1 billlion in the UK work force which it clearly states and the money was coming from the USA then that’s a good thing. More UK exports to the USA.
This is true. It’s good for UK PLC, but if it’s all exports then that means no significant uplift in UK defence spending. That’s what I was driving at.
Sailor Boy, off you go! 😊
Still a couple of extra years to wait, I’m afraid.
Uni degrees are so long, Tempest design work will be done by the time I get out!
Got a summer project coming up right now, trying to find a company to do it with.
Aeralis said no, sent an email to MSubs but no reply as yet!
Anyone got suggestions for other SMEs that do interesting work?
Helsing
Fair, but it sounds like the design work gets done in Germany.
Are you University of Surrey mate?
Maclaren in Woking? Not military I know.
Wouldn’t worry about it being military engineering – what matters is good engineering training.
Very true.
Not even out of school, I’m afraid.
Otherwise I’d have more interesting things to say!
Not sure how much you know about schools in the area, but don’t want to give too much away.
If Daniele mentioned surrey, if you’re located somewhere in the vicinity of Guildford then Surrey research park has some good companies on it last time I checked. I worked for a subsea infrastructure company there for a bit.
There’s a company near that are using a flooded quarry to develop underwater habitats. They are called “Deep”. Basically they are investigating and developing a means to live and work under water. No harm sending your letter for a summer placement!
It has taken time to find first gear, but it seems as though the awful decades of decline and dithering in national defence may be at an end. Apprenticeships generally are a much better way to move our young people into than over priced and under performing degrees in UK Universities plc. I hope others realise where our skills future lies and take similar action.
Yes, an apprenticeship worked for me: then I did a degree, Msc and PhD. These days you have to have multiple degrees to be considered most positions of worth.
I agree.
Anything to get good workforce on the lower rungs.
Then a row of tasty carrots to draw you up the ladder!! Motivation by self interest. Bite sized chunks!!!
Why do we need to know about ethnic minority percentage or gender? It should ALWAYS be about getting the BEST PERSON to fill the role as in any industry. Aomw of the best I have the good fortune to work with have come from the noted members of scociety and never ever thought anything baout it as they were the BEST at the time.
Invest in people and they will deliver, pity the state does not quiet understand that…………………..
Agreed the recruitment quota should be determined by relevant qualifications plus screening by aptitude/technical tests and personal interviews. The top % of performers get the job regardless of race or gender.
Don’t be crazy, how can we throw away DEI policies it’s taken us so long to get 😂
You’re right, it should always be about hiring the best person for the job, without exception.
If they’re looking for increased recruitment, I guess focusing on those demographics who are less likely to apply means that you increase overall numbers of applicants.
Diversity targets just put a question mark over those from diverse backgrounds on whether they got the job on their merits or were just to fill quota. My grand kids are mixed and they often get picked for activies at school because the school wants to look diverse!!!
Agreed, a mate of mine left the service, because he was always being “volunteered” for publicity days, posters etc. He joined to be an engineer not someone’s puppet. Being from St.Helena he kind of stood out, being 6’5” didn’t help either! He’s doing well now though, but I’m not talking to him anymore as he’s taken up golf…..
Apoligies about the typeO, meant to say ‘Many of the best……’
Great news for our main weapons supplier and those that may be seeking employment.
As others have referenced, hopefully the investment is off the back of as yet unannounced great SDR news.