Cumbria Community Foundation - Furness: Opportunities and Challenges 2021

F U R N E S S – O P P O R T U N I T I E S & C H A L L E N G E S 24 BAE Apprenticeships BAE Systems has shown its commitment to recruiting and training young people with a plan to employ a record number of apprentices. More than 9,000 people across the UK applied for the 800 nationwide apprenticeship roles in spring 2020, while in Barrow, the company is investing £25m in a world-class specialist training facility. A role with the company is highly coveted in the local area and BAE is pleased that a significant amount of these apprenticeships are taken up by people from Furness. Phil Athersmith, Head of Early Careers Delivery at BAE Systems in Barrow, said: “The majority of our higher and degree apprenticeship applicants, again, are from the Furness area but we do get a significant number of applicants from across the UK. “Around 98 per cent of completers are retained. Those not retained tend to decide their future lies elsewhere rather than the company not retaining them.” BAE offers a range of apprenticeships in Barrow, from intermediate (level 2) to degree (level 6). Each apprenticeship has slightly different academic requirements - some attend college full time in their first year while others attend college or university on a day or block release schedule. Eligibility is generally factored around qualifications the applicant has or is predicted to achieve. “The future is really positive. We continue to invest heavily in our Early Careers programmes and our apprenticeship intakes are approximately 40 per cent of BAE Systems UK-wide recruitment.” “The installation of a submarine mock-up will enable apprentices to enhance their skills, knowledge and behaviours in a submarine- simulated environment which will give them first- hand experience before they deploy into ‘shop floor’ placements.” “The training facility is world class and enables BAE Systems to enhance and complement the practical training our apprentices receive from Furness College.”