BAE Systems, the UK’s largest defence firm, has announced plans to recruit 2,000 new apprentices.
The company, which is building the HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales aircraft carriers at Rosyth in an alliance, has not announced the distribution of the trainee posts.
BAE Systems also has Govan and Scotstoun shipyards in Glasgow but the majority of its UK workforce is south of the Border, with some 18,000 employees in the north of England.
The announcement was made during a visit by Chancellor George Osborne to BAE Systems Military Air and Information in Lancashire.
The previous day he announced a shake-up to how Britain’s biggest companies can help deliver millions of apprenticeships, with the introduction of a new apprentice levy.
Large employers will play a full role in achieving the UK Government’s target of three million apprentices by the end of the parliament.
Money raised by the levy will be ring-fenced for employers via a voucher mechanism, to ensure they deliver the training people need.
BAE Systems stands to benefit significantly from the Chancellor’s new pledge to maintain defence spending at 2% of GDP in line with the Nato commitment.
Mr Osborne said: “Britain’s great businesses have a hugely important role to play in training up the next generation.”
He described BAE systems as a company at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse, and said he was excited to hear about their plans to create 2,000 new apprentices.
Ian King, BAE chief executive, said: “BAE Systems is committed to delivering the capabilities our customers need whilst providing value for money for taxpayers.”
Nigel Whitehead, BAE group managing director for programmes and support said: “Our employment of 2,000 apprentices by 2018 illustrates our commitment to ensure our workforce here in the UK remains among the best trained and qualified in our sector, anywhere in the world.”
BAE Systems has a workforce of more than 33,000 people in the UK and 83,400 worldwide. It has 1,000 apprentices in training at any one time.