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BAE Systems has commenced construction of a new £12 million (AU$22.9 million) applied shipbuilding academy at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow.
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This new shipbuilding academy includes a modern trade hall and a flexible learning hub and is designed to support the development of the entire workforce, from apprentices to senior leaders, and forms part of BAE’s ongoing commitment to develop future talent.
BAE’s new facility is a key component of the BAE and UK Ministry of Defence’s push to modernise and transform Glasgow’s rich shipbuilding history, by upskilling the existing workforce while attracting new talent to secure its future for generations to come.
Paul Feely, academy and engineering director, BAE Systems’ naval ships business, said, “This new training facility is an exciting demonstration of our commitment to shipbuilding on the Clyde, allowing us to further support thousands of highly skilled jobs in Scotland. Our investment in Glasgow will help us to deliver the national endeavour that is the Type 26 program and ensure that we can provide navies around the world with a competitive edge in the decades to come.”
The facility will incorporate a historic industrial building which will be retrofitted to become the modern trade hall, with areas dedicated to each shipbuilding trade, ship-realistic mock-up environments, and research and technology facilities, meanwhile, immediately adjacent will be a flexible learning hub containing more than 30 classrooms, a STEM innovation lab, and office facilities.
Upon completion in the second half of 2024, the shipbuilding academy will provide bespoke training for almost 4,500 employees, including nearly 700 apprentices. These new facilities will also enable a substantial expansion of the successful early careers programs at BAE Systems, doubling the intake in Glasgow to more than 200 new apprentices each year.
Rex Cox, chief executive officer, National Shipbuilding Office, added, “Our work with the UK Shipbuilding Skills Task Force identified the urgent need to invest in shipbuilding skills. At the National Shipbuilding Office, we are heartened to see such tangible action being taken in response to our collective call for upskilling the industry and we look forward to the positive impact this academy will have on our national shipbuilding capabilities.”
The academy in Glasgow is the third dedicated training facility which BAE Systems has created, following similar investments in Samlesbury and Barrow-in-Furness in the north-west of England.
Combined, the facilities support the training and development of BAE Systems’ nearly 40,000-strong workforce across the UK.
