A new social impact report by BAE Systems Submarines has highlighted the growing educational and community outreach associated with the UK’s nuclear submarine construction programme in Barrow-in-Furness.
The document outlines the company’s engagement across Cumbria in 2024, including more than 14,000 people reached through education and skills initiatives, 64 local community projects supported, and the recruitment of over 900 early career starters.
Among the larger investments cited is a new £100,000 donation to Barrow’s Dock Museum. This matches an earlier contribution in 2020 and will further develop The Submariner’s Story exhibition, which aims to bring the realities of life aboard Royal Navy submarines to a wider audience.
Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director at BAE Systems Submarines, said, “We’re immensely proud that our business is based in Barrow and very conscious that we have a core responsibility to support the community here.”
The report also points to recent infrastructure projects intended to strengthen the region’s talent base and economic resilience. These include The Bridge, an outreach and career development hub on Portland Walk, which serves both shipyard and non-shipyard employers, and a new partnership with the University of Cumbria to establish the town’s first university campus. Scheduled to open in September 2025, the campus will offer degree courses in mechanical engineering and nursing, aiming to address long-standing local skills gaps.
Garner added, “There have been some huge developments such as opening The Bridge and continued progress towards the creation of a Submarines Centre for Experiential Learning in Barrow town centre. We’ve also seen a really significant and pleasing increase in the number of local institutions we are helping — particularly schools and colleges.”
While commissioned by BAE Systems, the report is the latest in a series of efforts to quantify the broader regional effects of defence industrial activity.
Without sub-manufacturing, Barrow would be much poorer due mainly to its remoteness. When I visited some years ago, it felt like stepping back a decade or so. From a purely practical point of view, by building a social framework of excellence, we will not only ensure our security but give a vital strength to this part of England.
Firstly if anyone is ever up there or nearby in the Lakes on a rainy day and need to an alternative to counting raindrops, I can honestly say Barrow is really worth a visit. The dock museum may not be big but it packs a hell of a lot in, then compare what you see in the museum with the DDH and listen to your jaw hitting the floor.
As for BAe investing and supporting the town and its population it’s an old fashioned company town and it’s the source of the majority of its prime resource, the future employees. So it’s a massive win win for both parties.
Now for the remoteness, it’s a 2 edged sword, Barrow is fairly insular and being a company town strangers stick out like a sore thumb so very good for security (same can be said for Sellafield and Eskmeals up the coast). The down side is that unless you are a high up that can fly into Walney it’s a sod to get to at the best of times and in the holiday season it’s “Bloody awful”. The A590 is the main rd for Barrow and just happens to go via South Windermere so it’s Tourist clogged during daytime for 2/3 of the year. Scheduling road delivery’s of some very large and important parts is a “challenge” when it has to done in the dark or winter (sorry rant over).
HMG if you ever read UKDJ, I KNOW IT’s UP NORTH AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE THAT IS but it needs a new road that goes further south along the coast to Barrow.
Nice Museum, I liked the history, pics and list of ships built there over the years. Oh and the fantastic Models. Went there and a few other places on a few trips to that part of the World.
“Two wheels are better than four”.
“Two wheels are better than four” only for those people who don’t mind dropping down to less than 2 legs, 2 arms and a fully functional central nervous system 🤪😜🤕
I resemble that remark !
Seriously though, two wheels are the best way to visit Cumbria and North Wales, I always head for the hills and mountains and glorious Pass’s. Doing the Hardknott and Wrynose Pass is a must for any biker, even us old ones.
I must drag my weary carcase up there again soon before we leave.
Mate if it’s out of the M25 ring HMG see it as some sort of far flung imperial outpost that just helps supply bread and circuses to London.
That’s so true. Just like most Americans, they only think of the UK as London.
Personally I try to avoid it like the plague nowadays, much prefer the “quiet countryside” (F15’s aside).
ABCR,
Perhaps a candidate project for the 1-N list of defence infrastructure investments? Dunno, 1.5% of GDP will ultimately be invested annually in support of that mission. New/modited, more efficient, road and/or rail transport network to supply the sole UK submarine manufacturer would seem to be an instance of low-hanging fruit? Minimal controversial, other than opposition by an occasional environmental activist? 🤔
…controversy… 🙄