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Engineering and defence giant Babcock International has welcomed more than 200 new apprentices and graduates to its Devonport operations.

The aerospace, defence and security company said the 138 apprentices and 78 graduates will support a variety of projects and business areas, from life extension programmes on frigates and submarines, to advanced manufacturing happening at the vast site in Plymouth..

The apprentice roles are varied, from welders, fabricators and pipe workers, to electrical fitters, mechanical fitters and computer numerical control (CNC) machinists, while the graduates are involved in a wide range of roles within the business including: mechanical, electrical, process and civil engineers, naval architects and project managers.

Paul Foster, Babcock’s managing director for Devonport operations, said: “Our apprentices and graduates have a really important role in shaping our future here and I extend a very warm welcome to all of our new recruits.

“It is great to see so many new starters who will be working across different areas of the business. There are many opportunities to establish and grow a fulfilling career with Babcock and at a time of major investment across the site there has never been a better time to join us.

“This year has seen an increase in the number of applications for our apprenticeship programme, building on the success of the online assessment centres from last year.

“Each apprentice and graduate applicant went through a rigorous process which involved online testing and video recorded interviews.

Ryan Metcalfe, higher level mechanical apprentice, said: “I chose to do an apprenticeship as I was looking to gain job experience whilst working towards a qualification at the same time, so an apprenticeship is the perfect route for me. I’m most looking forward to starting a career in something that I really want to do and meeting new people who want to do the same thing as me.”