Apprentice roles go up for grabs at BAE

More than 2,000 people have attended roadshows across Lancashire to find out about careers as apprentices with defence firm BAE Systems.

The company hosted the events in the past fortnight which saw current apprentices discuss their experiences with the firm.

In September, it took on more than 100 new apprentices at its sites in Warton and Samlesbury and is expected to recruit a similar number next September.

The window for applications opens on November 1 and people have until the end of February to apply.

Andy Bloor, head of early careers for the company’s Military Air and Information business which runs its Lancashire sites, including Warton, said the roadshows were aimed at highlighting the range of opportunities available.

He said: “Apprenticeships is a word which has been around for many years and people think of it as applying to manual labour jobs, but what we have available are high-skilled high-value jobs.

“Our apprentices relate to everything from skilled manufacturing through to the engineering which keeps our products at the cutting edge, but also we have roles in project and business management.

“These people will go on to carry out key roles such as ensuring our programmes run to time and budget or making sure our books balance, all of which are crucial to the success of our business.”

This year’s intake includes a new Engineering Degree Apprenticeship which the company is offering in aerospace and software engineering and gives apprentices the chance to study for a Foundation Degree as part of their scheme.

The engineering apprentices starting next September will be trained at a new £15m training academy which is being built at Samlesbury offering state-of-the-art facilities.

For further details on the schemes, visit www.baesystems.com/apprenticeships