Global defence, aerospace and security company BAE Systems is to hire 1,250 new apprentices and graduates in 2021 - the highest number it has ever recruited in a single year.
The group has sites across the 海角视频 including in the North West, West Midlands, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and made the major jobs announcement on Thursday morning - despite the global pandemic.
The new roles will consist of 850 apprenticeships and 400 graduate roles available across the 海角视频, with a total of 763 of the roles to be based in the North West.
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 海角视频 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 海角视频’s economic recovery.”
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BAE said the new recruits will have the chance to be involved in some of the 海角视频’s most exciting and technologically advanced programmes including Tempest - a future combat air system for the Royal Air Force and Dreadnought, a new generation of submarines for the Royal Navy.
Opportunities will be available in a variety of roles including accountancy, human resources, electronic systems design, software development, joinery and mechanical fitting.
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Reacting to the news, Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP, said: “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.”
Out of the 1,250, 763 will be based at the firm's North West sites including Salmesbury, Warton and Barrow. 186 will be based in the South East, with 100 in Scotland. That's as well as 80 in Yorkshire, with 53 split between Brough and Humberside Airport and 27 in Applied Intellience in Leeds, 37 in the South West and 17 in Wales.
As part of the move, the firm has recruited 20 apprentices from other companies who were no longer able to continue with their programmes.
It is also taking part in the Government’s Kickstart scheme which will enable BAE to offer six month job placements to a further 30 young people, as well as recruiting more than 200 students for industrial placements or summer internships.
Matthew Fell, CBI chief 海角视频 policy director - who grew up near Brough - said: “The news that BAE Systems plans to recruit 1,250 trainees across the 海角视频 is hugely welcome. Now is a crucial time to help the next generation develop the skills and confidence to succeed in the workplace.
“It’s fantastic to see many of these roles are based in the North – unleashing young people’s talent up and down the country will boost their life chances, keep our regions competitive and help bring about a lasting economic recovery post-pandemic.”