BAE Systems is recruiting a record number of apprentices and graduates - including 87 in the Portsmouth area

The coronavirus outbreak has brought so much uncertainty, especially for younger people entering the job market who are being hit the hardest.

However, BAE Systems is proud to offer so many apprenticeship roles across the UK, with 87 of those roles based with the company’s Maritime Services business, located at Portsmouth Naval Base, Broad Oak in Hilsea and at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

These apprenticeships cover craft skills, business administration, engineering, project management and procurement. Maritime Services will also be offering 14 places for graduates from a range of disciplines.

Asha Pickford, a first year Higher Apprentice at BAE Systems, said: ‘I’ve always wanted to gain hands-on experience while learning at the same time and I realised an apprenticeship was the best way of doing this. I joined the Maritime Services business in Portsmouth Naval Base in October and, while the start of my training has been somewhat different to what I originally expected due to the pandemic, I’m fully immersed in my role and I’m looking forward to the exciting career opportunities ahead of me.’

As part of the company’s commitment to do everything to support young people at this time, BAE Systems has also recruited 20 apprentices from other companies who were no longer able to continue with their programmes.

The company is also taking part in the Government’s Kickstart scheme, which will enable BAE Systems to offer six-month job placements to young people, as well as recruiting more than 200 students across the business for industrial placements or summer internships.

Thomas Reynolds, a Project Management Degree Apprentice at BAE Systems, said: ‘I joined as an apprentice because the company was known for providing a breadth of opportunities as well as supporting you with your aspirations.

‘I started out as a craft apprentice and decided that I actually wanted to become a Project Management apprentice, and within three years I was managing projects. If you put the effort in and show you are willing, there is lots of career progression within the business.'

Apprenticeships aren’t just for school or college leavers; almost 10% of BAE Systems apprentices are over 25, and for those facing uncertainty in the current climate, they provide a wide range of opportunities to retrain.

Sally Hesketh, who worked for 17 years as an engineer in the film and television sector, decided to retrain as a shipbuilder and went on to complete an apprenticeship at the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard before joining BAE Systems.

BAE Systems is acknowledged as one of the leading providers of apprenticeship training in the UK. Last year the company received the Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship Award (Macro Employer) and its delivery of training is rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’.

If you’d like to find out more information, BAE Systems Maritime is hosting Virtual Open Days between 12pm-2pm and 6.30pm-8.30pm on Tuesday February 9 and Wednesday February 10. The closing date for the apprenticeship scheme is February 28, 2021.

To register and to find out more information, go to www.baesystems.com/msopenday21