21 Jul 2010 | Ref. 150/2010
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Apprentice Erin Browne in Devonshire Dock Hall
Farnborough, UK - The effectiveness of BAE Systems' apprenticeship programmes in the UK have been awarded a Grade 1 - 'outstanding' by government education watchdog Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED). In its report OFSTED state that "learners gain exceptional technical and employment skills" and that "engineering success rates have improved consistently over the past three years and are well above the national average."
The rigorous OFSTED audit involved eight inspectors interviewing 153 apprentices and 146 supervisors and training managers at BAE Systems facilities in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, Brough in East Riding of Yorkshire, Doncaster in South Yorkshire, Rochester in Kent and Preston in Lancashire. The inspectors assessed the quality of learning provision as well as safety management and equality and diversity opportunities.
As a Company reliant on a strong pipeline of engineering talent, BAE Systems runs one of the largest apprenticeship schemes in the UK, with more than 1,000 young people currently in training on programmes that can last up to three and a half years. Typically a year is spent in college and the remaining time is dedicated to gaining practical experience at work.
The business recruits craft, technician and business apprentices and offers the opportunity to combine practical experience with academic learning, including to degree level. A wide range of engineering and manufacturing training routes are offered to recruits, including joinery, pipe work, steel work, as well as design engineering, combat systems engineering and test and commissioning.
Commenting on the rating, Nigel Whitehead, BAE Systems Group Managing Director, Programmes & Support said: "The OFSTED result is a source of enormous pride for the Company, our apprentices and their training managers. Apprenticeships make excellent business sense for BAE Systems with the cost of our investment in their training and development repaid within one year of completion of their apprenticeship." He added: "Apprenticeships are a vital part of our Skills 2020 strategy which aims to ensure BAE Systems has the right skills to operate and compete effectively in 2020."
Apprentices joining BAE Systems' businesses have the opportunity to work on some of the most complex and large-scale engineering programmes in the country including the Astute submarine and Typhoon aircraft programme.
Editors notes
1. The OFSTED report can be found on-line at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_providers/full/(urn)/50592
2. The OFSTED report covers the apprentice and training programmes delivered by BAE Systems through its contract with the National Employer Service. Apprentice training programmes at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships facilities in Glasgow and Portsmouth and those delivered by BAE Systems’ Global Combat Systems business were outside the scope of this inspection.
3. More details about BAE Systems’ Skills 2020 programme and the Company’s strategy: Delivering skills for the future, can be found on-line at www.baesystems.com/skills2020
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).
For further information please contact:
Kate Watcham, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 383550 Mob: +44 (0)7793 420731
kate.watcham@baesystems.com
Harry Ronaldson, Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7467 9218 Mob: +44 (0)7720 773 258
harry.ronaldson@bisslancaster.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947;
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 71773
www.baesystems.com
