BAE to take on record number of apprentices in 2012

The defence giant said 136 posts will be made available at its submarine building business in Cumbria (its highest intake at the yard for five years), while the remaining 129 roles will be located at the company's military aircraft business in Lancashire; its maritime businesses in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and Glasgow; and at its electronics business in Rochester, Kent. The announcement was made to co-incide with National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 February 2012) - a national initiative aimed at raising the profile of apprenticeships in the UK. Nigel Whitehead, BAE's group managing director said: "Our apprenticeship programme creates a pipeline of exceptionally talented young engineers who are critical to the long term future of BAE Systems. In tough economic times it is even more important that businesses plan for the long term and continue to invest in skills and developing talent in the workplace." BAE currently has around 1,000 apprentices in training in its three year apprenticeship programme, which was rated 'outstanding' by OFSTED in July 2010. The company also currently holds the National Apprentice Award for the Macro Employer of the Year.