BAE Systems www.baesystems.com is to create 173 ‘early-career’ jobs at its Glasgow-based Naval Ships business this year; there will be positions for 121 apprentices and 34 graduates, plus 13 paid industrial placements and five paid summer internships.

The defence group will also take on eight recruits as part of its new Combat Systems Technical Apprenticeship programme.

This covers IT infrastructure, data interrogation and analysis, weapon management, integration software applications and complex electronic equipment (such as communications and sensors) for the Royal Navy’s next-generation warships.

Mick Ord, managing director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “We’re really pleased to launch this newapprenticeship programme in Scotland, which builds on our existing engineering and production training programmes.

“It is another indication of how important apprentices are to the long-term future of our business.

“To operate effectively in the world’s most difficult and dangerous environments, our defence customers depend on the men and women who design, develop and integrate their combat systems.

“This is complex technical work, but we’re really encouraged by the calibre of young people increasingly choosing an apprenticeship as a viable and rewarding alternative to university.”

Potential candidates should visit the Web site (www.baesystems.com/ukcareers) for more information. The closing date for applications is the end of February.