BAE Systems to Recruit Record 2,400 Apprentices and Graduates in 2024

BAE Systems, the UK’s largest defense company, has announced plans to recruit a record 2,400 apprentices, undergraduates, and graduates next year, marking a major step in its commitment to workforce development. This new intake will bring the total number of trainees across the FTSE 100 company to 6,500, making up around 15% of its UK workforce.

Known for building the UK’s nuclear submarines and fighter jets, BAE Systems currently employs 100,000 people worldwide. The company has increased its investment in skills development each year since the Covid-19 pandemic, with next year’s £230 million spend on education initiatives pushing its total investment in training to over £1 billion since 2020.

The funding will support a range of programs, including apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and upskilling opportunities for current staff. Additionally, BAE will continue backing outreach efforts, such as its third skills academy, which recently opened in Glasgow.

Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems, emphasized the importance of investing in talent to maintain the company’s competitive edge. “With thousands of roles open across the country and our exciting high-technology programs, there has never been a better time to embark on a career with us,” he said.

The company’s recruitment drive has garnered praise from government officials, with Defense Secretary John Healey calling BAE’s early careers initiatives crucial for strengthening national security and nurturing future industrial leaders. “This investment is a vote of confidence in the UK as a hub for highly skilled jobs and cutting-edge employment,” Healey remarked.

Diversity continues to be a priority for BAE Systems. Nearly a third of this year’s new apprentices are women, and one in three new graduates comes from an ethnic minority background. Francesca Di Mascio, 27, an electrical engineering apprentice at BAE, shared her experience: “This apprenticeship is a great opportunity to earn while you learn. For the first time, I feel truly valued in a business.”

BAE’s recruitment plans reflect a strong commitment to building a skilled and diverse workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the UK’s defense sector and beyond. The company’s investment in training aims to ensure that the next generation of workers is ready to tackle the challenges posed by high-tech defense and engineering fields.