£25m specialist apprentice training facility investment

The Company’s site, in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, is home to the UK’s submarine design and build capability and the new facility will help nurture the unique skills required to deliver one of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. BAE Systems is the prime contractor for the Astute programme and the lead industrial partner in the Dreadnought programme, which is a new class of submarines to replace the Vanguard class.

At nearly 8,000m², the new Central Training Facility will provide a bespoke learning environment for the almost 1,000 craft and technical apprentices that are currently in training. These include those in mechanical, steelwork and electrical disciplines.  It will also serve as a training centre for its wider workforce.

Work has already started to construct the new building, which is due to open next year. It will include a teaching block, classrooms, offices, craft workshops and welfare facilities.

Sir Michael said: “This investment demonstrates the benefits that our growing defence budget brings for highly skilled jobs in the North West and across the country.”It will ensure we have people with the skills necessary to deliver one of the most complex programmes in the world that will help modernise our fleet of nuclear submarines.”

Tony Johns, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: “The design and build of a nuclear powered submarine is one of the world’s most complex and technically demanding engineering challenges. It’s vital we have the right people with the right skills to deliver these programmes.  This investment underlines our commitment to the future. The new facility will provide a modern learning environment to supplement the training our apprentices already receive.”

The new building has been designed by McBain Cooper and will be built by Wates Construction – the Company which recently completed the design and build of BAE Systems’ off-site logistics facility, named the Resolution Building.