Babcock has opened applications for its 2026 apprentice intake as the company announces a record recruitment drive for graduates and apprentices across its UK operations. Around 1,600 roles will be created over the 2025/26 period as part of a major investment in emerging talent to support national and international defence programmes.
In 2025, Babcock will recruit 750 graduates and apprentices, rising to 850 in 2026. The 2025 intake includes 500 apprenticeships and 250 graduate positions across key UK sites, covering traditional trades such as welding, mechanical and electrical fitting, and fabrication, alongside advanced digital disciplines including data analytics and digital manufacturing.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “Our graduate and apprentice programmes are designed to equip professionals with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Whether it is building warships, maintaining submarines, or developing secure communications systems, our apprentices and graduates play a vital role in delivering programmes of national importance.”
Roles span Babcock’s core sectors — marine, nuclear, land and aviation — as well as corporate functions, offering hands-on experience with complex engineering challenges. The recruitment drive supports the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy and reflects Babcock’s contribution of £4.3 billion to UK GDP in FY2024, sustaining 67,000 jobs nationwide.
Significant regional recruitment is planned in Scotland, supporting naval and nuclear programmes at HMNB Clyde and Rosyth, and in South West England, including Bristol and Devonport. Babcock is also investing in regeneration projects, such as relocating 2,000 staff to Plymouth city centre. The company’s approach to recruitment includes pre-apprenticeship schemes, gamified selection tools and outreach programmes to attract talent from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion and innovation.