BAE Systems has announced it plans to recruit over 600 apprentices at its Barrow base in 2023.
The roles are among 2,600 across the company, which says it is committed to investing in the next generation.
Tania Gandamihardja, group director of human resources at BAE Systems, said: “Faced with economic challenges not seen in a generation, it’s essential for businesses like ours to invest in the next generation to equip young people with the skills they need to achieve their full potential and support social mobility.
“Providing high-quality early careers programmes gives young people a route into long-term employment and helps recruit the talent we need to deliver on vital national defence and security programmes, such as the Tempest next-generation combat aircraft and Dreadnought nuclear submarines.”
At the Barrow Submarines operation, it is planning to employ 605 apprentice, plus has 89 undergraduate and 126 graduate roles on offer.
Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, said: “Apprenticeships are the catalyst to boosting the economy, building a skills nation and extending the ladder of opportunity to all.
“It’s extraordinary to see leading apprentice employer BAE Systems plan to recruit over 2,600 apprentices and graduates this year across key industries including cyber security, aerospace engineering and software development.”
BAE Systems said it invested around £100m in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK annually and currently had almost 4,300 apprentices and graduates in training across its UK businesses, equivalent to more than 10% of its 35,000 strong UK workforce.
Around 95 per cent of apprentice trainees complete their apprenticeship with BAE Systems and go on to secure full time employment with the company, it added.
