BAE Systems has been named as one of the top 10 best apprenticeship employer in the UK

The aerospace engineering company, which has a base in Samlesbury and Warton, has been named as the ninth best employer in the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2022.

This year the company is hiring nearly 1,700 early careers candidates, a record number, with 939 of those taken on in apprenticeships and 751 graduates.

In Lancashire, BAE is hiring 179 apprentices, 66 undergraduates and 70 graduates.

The apprenticeship programme has recently been given a renewed rating of ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The report read: “Apprentices develop confidence, resilience, adaptability and character as a result of their apprenticeship.”

Ella Fairclough and Charlie Griffiths are current undertaking apprenticeships with us in BAE Systems Air.

Ella is a second-year Technician Apprentice based at Samlesbury and Charlie is a first-year EDAS Aerospace Engineering Apprentice at Warton.

Ella said: “I am currently working within US Programmes in the Airframe Design Team.

"I joined BAE Systems to develop myself and learn invaluable engineering skills from those who are at their best in their fields and because they are known to provide some of the best apprenticeships in the UK.”

Charlie added: “As of this week, I am working in the Thermal Management Systems Team for FCAS.

"I decided to join BAE Systems as a degree apprentice because it offered me a more practical, engaging view into the engineering sector, whilst also still allowing me to complete my degree.”