ALMOST 50 roles for apprentices and graduates are being created for the Dorset operations of one of the world’s largest defence companies.

British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company BAE Systems is set to hire almost 1,700 apprentices and graduates across the UK in 2022 – including 48 across two bases in Dorset.

The creation of more than 900 apprentice and 750 graduate and undergraduate roles is the largest intake of early careers roles the company has offered in a single year.

A site specialising in aerospace at the Grange Road Business Park in Christchurch is offering 14 apprentice roles, nine undergraduate roles and two postgraduate roles.

Nearly 30 miles east at the BAE Systems submarine base in Bovington near Wareham, seven roles will be made available to apprentices, four roles for undergraduates, and 12 for postgraduates.

Bournemouth Echo: BAE Systems offering apprentice, undergraduate and postgraduate roles across UK. Picture: BAE SystemsBAE Systems offering apprentice, undergraduate and postgraduate roles across UK. Picture: BAE Systems

Representing a 25 per cent increase on this year’s early careers intake, the recruitment comes as Ofsted has once again rated BAE’s 50-plus apprenticeship programmes as ‘Outstanding’.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems’ chief executive, said: “Creating high quality employment opportunities for young people across the country ensures we retain the critical capabilities we need to sustain our business for the long-term, while also helping to drive growth across the UK’s regional economies.

“Early careers employees are the foundation of our future and the diversity of skills and experience they bring enables us to continue to innovate and deliver the very best technology and support to our armed forces.”

Chloe Silver, a first-year apprentice in BAE’s submarines business, said: “When I finished college, I knew I wanted to get stuck in to the world of work straight away but I also wanted to gain more qualifications, so I decided an apprenticeship was the best route for me. It’s really important that young people can access job opportunities wherever they live, without having to move away.”

BAE Systems invests almost £100m in education, skills and early careers activities in the UK annually and currently has nearly 3,300 apprentices and graduates in training across its UK businesses, equivalent to more than nine per cent of its 35,300 UK workforce.

The closing date for apprentice applications is February 28, 2022. There are multiple graduate intakes throughout the year, including January, June and September. Visit baesystems.com/earlycareers for more information.