BAE Systems (www.baesystems.com) is to spend more than £15 million on a new training academy in Lancashire. The defence giant — one of the county’ s largest employers, with 10,000 people at two manufacturing sites — also said it will recruit a record number of apprentices this year — more than 800.

The new training academy, which will be located within the Lancashire Enterprise Zone at Samlesbury, will offer ‘state of the art’ facilities for BAE Systems apprentices and existing employees. It will be completed in time for the 2016 apprenticeship intake.

The announcement was made during a visit by Prime Minister David Cameron to the BAE Systems Military Air & Information operation in Warton. During his visit, he spoke to apprentices from companies across the North West, including many working on advanced engineering projects such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the F-35 Lightning II and unmanned aircraft systems.

Mr Cameron said: “Apprenticeships are a key part of our long-term economic plan, giving people the chance to build their careers and secure a better future. Across the country, people are taking up apprenticeships in record numbers, and it is heartening to see such a major employer as BAE Systems at the forefront of this, leading the charge and investing in the future of the UK defence aerospace industry.”

BAE Systems chief executive Ian King said: “Our record apprentice intake and investment in a new training facility highlight the importance of apprentices as a means of developing the highly skilled, ambitious and enthusiastic workforce needed to deliver world-leading technologies. I’m extremely proud of our apprenticeship programme and the value it provides to BAE Systems and the UK.”