BAE Systems will recruit more than 800 apprentices in the UK in 2020, which will be the highest number ever.

The new recruits will join one of more than 25 apprenticeship programmes across the company’s Air, Maritime, Land
and Cyber divisions, benefitting from tailored schemes that combine recognised qualifications with on-the-job training.

Most of the new apprentices will join either the Air or Maritime divisions, where they will work on programmes that include developing future combat air technologies for the Royal Air Force and working on the Dreadnought programme — a new generation of submarines for the Royal Navy that will replace the current Vanguard class.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems’ chief executive, said: “Our apprentices are the lifeblood of our business.

“I’m incredibly proud of the significant contribution they make to the design and delivery of our most complex products, equipment and services, helping to ensure that we remain at the forefront of technology and innovation.”

BAE Systems invested more than £100 million in education, skills and early-careers activities in the UK in 2018 and has around 2,000 apprentices in training within its UK businesses at any given time, with around 95% of them securing permanent roles.

The company currently employs more than 34,000 people in the UK and is one of the country’s largest employers of engineers, with around 66% of its staff employed in engineering or engineering-related roles.

Details of apprenticeship opportunities can be found at the Web site (www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-theuk/apprenticeships/schemes).

Applications run until 28 February.