Thousands of New Apprenticeships and Graduate Jobs Announced at UK’s Biggest Defence Company

BAE Systems is set for another record-breaking recruitment drive in 2024 with almost 2,700 new apprentice and graduate opportunities available to young people across the UK.

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Software engineering trainees working in BAE Systems’ digital, cyber and intelligence business. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Company has more than doubled its early careers intake in the past five years, making a significant contribution to the UK economy and offering more young people than ever the prospect of exciting long-term careers supporting the nation’s armed forces and security services.

The Company’s award winning early careers schemes are vital to developing the talent pipeline needed to deliver critical national security capability. They also help to build the next generation of talented industrial leaders, with many former apprentices and graduates reaching the top ranks of the Company.

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, said:

“As the UK’s largest manufacturer, we have sites located right across the country and we’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds to equip young people with the skills they need to achieve their full potential.

“Providing high quality apprenticeships and graduate programmes gives young people a route into long-term employment and helps to grow the talent we need to deliver vital national defence and security programmes, including future fighter jets, nuclear-powered submarines and low earth orbit satellites.”

Minister for Higher Education, Apprenticeships and Skills, Robert Halfon, said:

“We need big employers on side in our efforts to build a skills and apprenticeships nation and this record-breaking announcement from BAE Systems is fantastic to see.

“Apprenticeships provide a ladder of opportunity for people to get in-demand skills and really push on in their careers, and these roles offered by a top apprenticeship employer will transform lives and boost growth right around the UK.”

More than 1,400 apprentices will join the Company, with the majority of roles based in the North of England and opportunities available across the South of England, Scotland and Wales.

The Company also plans to recruit almost 1,300 graduates in 2024 – that’s 1,100 more graduate positions compared to five years ago.

With more than 60 programmes available, there are opportunities at every level, from steelwork and electrical engineering to cyber security, software development, human resources and project management. Successful applicants have the chance to work on some of the world’s most advanced technology programmes including the Global Combat Air Programme and the UK’s next-generation submarines known as SSN-AUKUS.

Megan Pearson, former Software Degree Apprentice, BAE Systems’ Air sector, said:

“Embarking on an apprenticeship with BAE Systems after I completed my A-Levels helped me become financially independent, which benefitted both me and my parents. I’ve had the chance to work on a range of exciting projects and the flexibility of my apprenticeship means that I’m experiencing lots of new things and not tying myself to any one profession.

“A lot of my friends struggled with the immediate mind-set shift from school to work, but my apprenticeship provided a complete package with helpful support and guidance. It’s the ideal route for bridging the gap between school and the workplace.”

Last year, BAE Systems invested approximately £180m in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK and currently has more than 5,500 apprentices and graduates in training across its UK businesses, equivalent to more than 10% of its almost 40,000 strong UK workforce.

Achieving a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace is vital to developing the Company’s future skills and talent pipeline. In 2023, almost a third of apprentice joiners to the business’ early careers programmes were female, significantly outperforming the industry average of 14% in England.

The closing date for apprentice applications is 28 February 2024. There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, April, July and September. Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/earlycareers

Additionally there are thousands of roles available across the UK for experienced professionals. Find out more and apply: baesystems.com/experiencedprofessionals

Early careers opportunities are just one part of the Company’s wider recruitment drive. BAE Systems is currently recruiting thousands of skilled workers from steelworkers to data scientists across the UK.

Notes to Editors:

The breakdown of roles across the UK by region is as follows*:

*Numbers are based on current resource planning assumptions. There may be some small fluctuations in final numbers.

Region	Business	Apprentice roles	Undergraduate roles	Graduate roles	Total
Scotland	Air – Prestwick	-	1	13	14
	Air – Hillend	-	2	-	2
	Land UK – Glasgow	1	-	-	1
	Maritime Services – Hillend	3	-	-	3
	Naval Ships – Glasgow	198	26	53	277
	Shared Services – Glasgow	-	1	-	1
	Scotland total	202	30	66	298
North West England	Air – Warton & Samlesbury	222	66	206	494
	Digital Intelligence – Manchester	-	-	2	2
	Head Office – Barrow, Warton & Samlesbury	1	-	-	1
	Land UK – Barrow	8	3	-	11
	Land UK – Radway Green	9	2	-	11
	Shared Services – Preston	27	5	8	40
	Submarines – Barrow	649	100	244	989
	NW England total	916	176	460	1552
North East England / Yorkshire and the Humber	Land UK – Washington & Ridsdale	5	-	-	5
	Air – Brough & Humberside	53	6	37	96
	Digital Intelligence – Leeds	-	3	5	8
	NE England / Yorks & Humber total	58	9	42	109
South East England	Digital Intelligence – London, Guildford & Chelmsford	9	24	66	99
	Electronic Systems – Rochester	30	34	29	93
	Head Office – Frimley & Portsmouth	2	-	-	2
	Maritime Services – Chelmsford	-	3	5	8
	Maritime Services – Portsmouth & Cowes	109	34	40	183
	Naval Ships – Hampshire (some roles also available in London and Filton)	13	1	7	21
	Shared Services - Frimley	-	1	-	1
	Shared Services – Guildford	2	-	-	2
	Submarines – Hampshire (some roles also available in the South West – Dorset)	17	-	17	34
	SE England total	182	97	164	443
South West England and Wales	Air – Christchurch & Yeovil	14	2	-	16
	Air – Filton	-	4	2	6
	Digital Intelligence – Gloucester	-	8	4	12
	Maritime Services – Filton	-	-	1	1
	Naval Ships – Filton & Dorchester	-	3	4	7
	Submarines – Filton & Weymouth	15	-	59	74
	SW England total	29	17	70	116
	Land UK – Glascoed	16	1	6	23
	Shared Services - Glascoed	3	-	-	3
	Wales total	19	1	6	26
Other roles with flexible or TBC locations	Head Office	-	1	1	2
	Maritime Services	-	3	16	19
	Naval Ships	-	11	47	58
	Shared Services	-	-	21	21
	Submarines	11	11	31	53
	Other total	11	26	116	153
Total		1417	356	924	2697

We have individuals available for interview from across the UK.

For imagery and apprentice and graduate case studies, please visit: https://baesys.resourcespace.com/?c=25119&k=4cfd497d38

About BAE Systems

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 93,100 people in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

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