Jobs boost for Lancashire as BAE seeks 341 new trainees for 2021

The British aerospace and defence giant said it will hire more than 1,250 new staff across the UK throughout 2021, with nearly two-thirds of those jobs based in the North West.

The recruitment drive will see a total of 850 new apprenticeships and 400 graduate roles created - the highest number it has ever recruited in a single year - despite the ongoing pandemic.

It said around 75% of these apprenticeships and more than 50% of the graduate roles will be based in the North of England.

At its sites in Warton and Samlesbury, BAE will hire 341 trainees - 213 apprentices and 128 graduates - to work on its Air division and Shared Services sector.

It said new recruits will have the chance to be involved in some of the UK’s most technologically advanced programmes, including the futuristic Tempest, a state-of-the-art combat air system for the Royal Air Force which will eventually replace the Eurofighter Typhoon. Around 650 people are already working on Tempest in Lancashire.

Recruits in Barrow, Cumrbia will also be play a role in developing and engineering 'Dreadnought', a new generation of submarines for the Royal Navy.

Earlier this year, BAE Systems was awarded a contract from US aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin for the production and delivery of electronic warfare systems for the F-35 Lightning II.

The contract is to provide advanced situational awareness and threat response capabilities that support critical missions. The rear section of every American F-35 is built at BAE Systems’ state of the art advanced manufacturing and assembly facilities in Lancashire.

BAE said its apprenticeship programmes aren’t just for school or college leavers, with almost 10% of its apprentices aged over 25.

Opportunities are available in a variety of roles including electronic systems design, software development, joinery, mechanical fitting, accountancy and human resources.

Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: "Getting people back to work and creating high-quality jobs is a national priority. So, it’s more important than ever that those of us who are in a position to do so continue our investment in the UK workforce.

"We’re fortunate that our business is based on long-term critical defence programmes, giving us the confidence to increase our apprentice and graduate recruitment to create a strong talent pipeline, which enables us to continue delivering cutting-edge technologies, whilst playing a role in supporting the UK’s economic recovery."

Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, added: "Apprenticeships are a great way to learn the skills needed to get ahead in a range of exciting industries including cyber security, maritime engineering and project management.

"As we build back better, apprenticeships will play a vital role in helping to rebuild our economy after the pandemic.

"It’s fantastic to see BAE Systems continuing to innovate and invest in apprenticeships giving more people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to progress.

"I encourage businesses of all sizes to follow their lead, recruiting more apprentices to help take their business to the next level."

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