Home > Job News > Entry Level > BAE Systems To Create 800 Apprenticeships in 2020 < Job News and Info

BAE Systems has said it will create 800 new apprenticeships in the UK during 2020.

The recruitment drive for new apprentices will mark an increase of almost 15 per cent on their 2019 intake when BAE filled just 700 apprenticeships. Indeed, will be the defence company’s highest ever annual intake of apprentices providing that they meet their target.

BAE has 25 different apprenticeship programmes on offer across four sectors of their business; Air, Cyber, Land and Maritime.

At any one time there are around 2,000 apprentices working, studying and learning their trade at BAE, and an impressive 19 out of 20 apprentices go on to take up a permanent role with the defence giant.

Most of the programmes are some form of engineering apprenticeships, which reflects the fact that around two thirds of BAE System’s 34,000 permanent staff work in engineering-type roles.

Over 2 in 5 (348) of the new BAE apprentices will work on submarines, whilst 246 will be based in the Air sector and 72 on Naval Ships. The other 146 apprentices will be split between Maritime Services, Applied Intelligence, Electronic Systems, Land UK and Shared Services.

One of BAE Systems’ engineering degree apprentices, Khadijah Ismail, who joined up in the company’s Air sector, offered some reasons why he likes the programme, saying: “There are many benefits to undertaking an apprenticeship, from gaining years of credible, on-the-job engineering experience, to some that are more personal. For example, helping me to more confidently offer my views in the workplace.”

"Most significantly, my apprenticeship has allowed me to work alongside and learn from senior engineers and leaders,” added Mr Ismail.

The chief executive at BAE Systems, Charles Woodburn, explained why his company was, yet again, offering more apprenticeships for young people in the UK:

“Our apprentices are the lifeblood of our business. I’m incredibly proud of the significant contribution they make to the design and delivery of our most complex products, equipment and services, helping to ensure BAE Systems remains at the forefront of technology and innovation and safeguard our national security for decades to come.”

“As technology and our workplace evolves, it’s critical that we continue to invest in training the next generation of engineers and leaders. By working alongside industry peers, government and the education sector, we can ensure we are ready to respond to complex challenges of the future,” added the chief executive.

Over half of the 2020 apprenticeships will be based in the North West and Cumbria, with 531 opportunities up for grabs in the two regions. Elsewhere, BAE will have 133 apprenticeships in the South East, 14 in the South West and 68 in Yorkshire and Humber.

If you are interested in applying for one of the 800 apprenticeships on offer at BAE Systems starting in April 2020 then you have until the end of February to apply. You can find out more details about the programmes available and apply for the apprenticeship you are interested in from this section of the BAE Systems careers site.