BAE Systems is set to hire almost 1,700 apprentices and graduates across the UK in 2022. The creation of more than 900 apprentice and 750 graduate and undergraduate positions is the largest intake of early careers roles the company has ever offered in a single year. The majority of jobs will be based in the North of England, with further opportunities available in the South of England, Scotland and Wales.

Representing a 25% increase on this year’s early careers intake, the recruitment comes as Ofsted has once again rated the company’s 50-plus apprenticeship programmes as ‘outstanding’.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems chief executive, said: “Creating high-quality employment opportunities for young people across the country ensures we retain the critical capabilities we need to sustain our business in the long term, while also helping to drive growth across the UK’s regional economies.

“Early careers employees are the foundation of our future and the diversity of skills and experience they bring enables us to continue to innovate and deliver the very best technology and support to our armed forces.”

Alex Burghart, Minister for Skills, said: “It is brilliant that BAE Systems is committed to supporting our future workforce through the power of apprenticeships which play a vital role in giving people the ability to earn while they learn, and the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. They also give businesses access to a diverse talent pipeline, equipped with the knowledge for success in a wide range of professions.”

Successful candidates can look forward to working on some of the UK’s most exciting and nationally important technology programmes, including Tempest, a future combat air system for the Royal Air Force, as well as the design and build of Dreadnought submarines and Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy and helping to protect critical national infrastructure from cyber attacks.

Apprentices will have the opportunity to study and gain qualifications in a wide range of areas, including electronic systems design, cyber security, software development, aerospace engineering, accountancy and human resources.

Sustainability champions
Recently, the company unveiled a new masters-level sustainability apprenticeship which will play a key role in building a network of sustainability champions that will help to drive progress towards its ‘net zero’ target.

Chloe Silver, a first-year project management degree apprentice in BAE Systems’ Submarines business, said: “When I finished college, I knew I wanted to get stuck in to the world of work straight away but I also wanted to gain more qualifications, so I decided an apprenticeship was the best route for me.

“It is really important that young people can access job opportunities wherever they live, without having to move away. That is exactly what I have experienced with the wide range of opportunities on offer at BAE Systems. Since joining the company in September I have had some great highlights, including supporting the business’ early careers operations. I am really excited for what the future holds.”

Achieving a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace is vital to the development of the company’s future skills and talent pipeline. In 2021, around a quarter of new joiners to the business’ early careers programmes were female, with 26% of apprentices coming from some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas.

BAE Systems invests almost £100 million in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK annually and currently has nearly 3,300 apprentices and graduates in training across its UK businesses, equivalent to more than 9% of its 35,300 strong UK workforce.

The closing date for apprentice applications is 28 February 2022. There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, June and September. To find out more, or to apply to join one of the schemes, visit the website (www.baesystems.com/earlycareers).