MORE than 150 young people have started their careers at the Lancashire bases of defence giant BAE Systems.

The military aircraft division intake includes 97 engineering and business and 20 higher apprentices who have begun training at the firm’s training school in Preston and its sites at Warton and Samlesbury.

A further 53 university graduates are set to start a separate programme.

The engineering apprentices now begin a 12-month training programme which will see them learn skills including machining, electrical engineering and computer-aided design.

The business apprentices will learn skills including project management, administration and customer service.

The new recruits will decide which area to specialise in and whether to be based at Warton or Samlesbury.

In 2013, around 60 per cent of the intake ended up being based at Samlesbury. Following their initial training, the majority of the apprentices will go on to work in engineering and machining roles in the company behind fighter aircraft including the Eurofighter Typhoon and Hawk jet trainer, both used by air forces, including the RAF.

The business apprentices will head into placements in departments including finance, procurement and commercial.

Business apprentice, Naznin Hasan, 16, said: “I’ve only been with the company for two weeks but already I’m loving it.

“I chose an apprenticeship because I didn’t want to go to college to take A-levels. With the apprenticeship I have the opportunity to combine working with studying for an NVQ.”

Bill Southam, workshop manager at the Preston Training Centre, said the engineering apprentices would also be given training in entering the workplace.

He said: “It is getting them ready for the world of work outside the training school, we need to ensure they are familiar with the way things happen.

“Our aim is to ensure they can leave the first year of their training, familiar with both the technical skills and softer skills they need to succeed.”

The new recruits arrive as the company begins its search for next year’s intake of apprentices with a series of roadshows getting under way tomorrow at Blackpool FC’s Bloomfield Road stadium.

For further information visit the website www.baesystems.com/apprenticeships