BAE recruits brains for naval projects

Making waves: BAE's new combat systems apprenticeship is an alternative to university

Young people are being offered the chance to work on the ‘brains’ of the Royal Navy’s next generation of complex warships, as BAE Systems launches the first apprenticeship scheme of its kind in its combat systems team.

The arrangement will see BAE Systems and Nescot College in Surrey offer a new Higher Apprenticeship in designing, developing and integrating naval combat systems. Such systems equip crew members with the information and capability they require to operate effectively in modern naval environments.

Jennifer Osbaldestin, combat systems director at BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said: “Apprenticeships allow men and women at the start of their careers to develop their full potential achieving academic qualifications and vocational experience, while becoming financially stable at a relatively young age. The scheme demonstrates that apprenticeships are a valuable alternative to university for many young people.”

Six successful applicants for the four-year Combat Systems Engineering Higher Apprenticeship will be based in New Malden and Frimley where they will receive on-the-job training among a team currently working on programmes such as the mission system for the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, as well as systems for new offshore patrol vessels and Type 26 Global Combat Ship. The six will attend Nescot College for classroom-based learning in engineering disciplines ranging from platform and software security to understanding and developing emerging technologies.