BAE systems to boost staff at Barrow

Defence firm is looking to recruit more than 300 apprentices, graduates and A-level leavers next year

The Barrow site is constructing the Astute Class submarines

BAE Systems is to recruit more than 300 apprentices, graduates and A-level leavers next year at its Barrow-in-Furness site in Cumbria, bringing the total number of apprentices in the business to a high not seen since the early 1990s.

The defence firm is looking to recruit 240 apprentices, 40 graduates and 30 A-level leavers.

The Barrow site is constructing the Astute Class submarines and is also designing the successor for the Vanguard submarines, which carry Trident nuclear missiles. 

Almost 40% of the company’s advanced apprentices at Barrow continue into either further and higher education.

Around 10% of these apprentices eventually do a degree and become CEng.

Graduates join the firm’s direct entry scheme in engineering and project management areas.

Rowland Cooper, human resources director at BAE Systems Maritime, said: “By the end of next year, we hope to have close to 600 apprentices in our business, which will be a record high since the early 1990s.”

Cooper added: “For those who aspire to pursue a career in areas such as naval architecture, IT, or mechanical, electrical, power and propulsion, quality or nuclear engineering, our graduate and industrial placement programmes offer real opportunity.”