ONE of East Lancashire's biggest employers has confirmed it's taking on more than 100 apprentices this year.

BAE Systems has announced it will be taking on 110 apprentices at its site in Samlesbury in September with a record number at higher and degree level.

In total, the company will take on 67 advanced apprentices in manufacturing, engineering and business management roles, as well as 20 higher apprentices and 23 degree apprentices.

The fresh faced participants will be the second cohort of the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Scheme, a programme that sees apprentices finish their training with a Foundation level degree and hands-on experi

 

Nigel Whitehead, group managing director, Programmes and Support at BAE Systems, said the higher and degree level schemes offered apprentices the chance to study at university level as part of their programme.

He said: "BAE Systems is a company with great ambitions and nurturing a high calibre workforce is vital to our future.

"We take great pride in the record number of higher level apprenticeships on offer this year.

"BAE Systems remains committed to developing the skills needed in our sector and our apprentices enjoy not only high quality training but real hands-on experience developing, building and supporting the cutting-edge products that will safeguard our national security in years to come."

Many of its advanced apprentices will train at a new £15m training academy the company is building at Samlesbury, which is scheduled to open later this year.

Apprentices will also spend time at the other Lancashire site based at Warton.

Nigel Evans, said: "It is brilliant news but I do hope that a lot of East Lancashire’s young people will apply for these apprentices.

“The wonderful thing about having BAE on our doorsteps is having a multi-billion corporate organisation known for its excellence in manufacturing.

“Anyone who is able to benefit from the apprentices in BAE systems will have an asset that they can take with them anywhere they go.”

Its higher apprentices study as part of its Project Control Foundation Scheme, a project management apprenticeship, which it runs with Blackpool and The Fylde College.

Nationwide, the company is taking on more than 680 apprentices, including a record 142 higher and degree level apprentices, including at its submarine yard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and shipyards in Scotland.

Its apprenticeship scheme is currently open for applications until the end of February and for more details on all the schemes available, visit www.baesystems.com/apprentices