We’ll provide you with a clear career path, plus endless opportunities to build your skillset and progress in your chosen job area.
Not only will you be joining an employer ranked as an “Outstanding” provider by Ofsted, 99% of our apprentices choose to stay working for us after completing their course. Here are five great reasons we think you’ll love an apprenticeship with us.
#1 Earn while you learn with your tuition fees paid
On your apprenticeship, you’ll earn a competitive salary while also building your skills and working towards qualifications in your chosen role.
No matter what job area you’re in, you can expect to receive first-class training from experts who’ll guide and support you to achieve your full potential. This is combined with learning in our training facilities and at partner colleges and universities.
I loved the idea of getting an apprenticeship, due to the fact I would get like for like qualifications as A-Levels and being paid whilst doing so.Abigail, Advanced Engineering Apprentice
#2 Endless career opportunities
There are endless opportunities for career development when you join our team. From day one, you’ll build a clear career path that’s right for you, but there’s no limit to where this will take you.
We operate on 50 sites across the UK and have a combined workforce of over 93,000 people in around 40 countries worldwide. This means you could move around different departments, and areas of the business and shape your career to suit your own interests and strengths.
You’re sure to gain many new experiences and meet a lot of interesting colleagues along the way. You’ll also be part of a network of over 4,300 BAE Systems apprentices and graduates in the UK. As part of this supportive community, you’ll enjoy lots of opportunities to meet your peers and build your networks at various social events throughout the year.
#3 Get recognition and be rewarded
You’ll always be challenged to rise out of your comfort zone and try new things at BAE Systems. We operate in a fast-moving industry. That’s why you’ll be encouraged to innovate, be creative and strive for excellence in all you do.
In return for all your hard work, and by demonstrating the skills and behaviours we’re looking for, you can expect to be acknowledged and rewarded for your contribution - success in our business is always recognised and celebrated by the wider team.
Recognition can come in a variety of forms, ranging from accelerated career progression, monetary bonuses, apprentice awards or the opportunity to work on an exciting and innovative new project.
As a BAE Systems apprentice, you’ll also be able to use your newly acquired skills, to further charitable causes and to champion the value of STEM careers for young people. One example is Khadijah, who changed the lives of a remote community in Nepal by helping to install a solar-powered grinding mill.
The skills I learnt during the apprenticeship scheme allowed me to be a key member of the hardware engineering team from day one, as well as a wealth of other opportunities I was given such as STEM outreach work, diversity and inclusion work, National Apprentice Council membership, and more. It means I’ve had an incredible portfolio of work I could demonstrate. This was all supported and actively encouraged by the various teams at BAE Systems.Billie , Engineering Apprentice
#4 Help make a difference from the very start of your career
At BAE Systems we all play a part in shaping a better tomorrow – for our clients, our colleagues or in the communities we work in, you’ll be empowered to make a real difference.
Our purpose is to sarve, supply and protect those who serve and protect us, we’re proud of the work we do but our success is only possible due to the commitment and passion of our people.
When you join us you can be assured you’ll be joining a team that values diversity in an inclusive culture where everyone is encouraged to be themselves – it’s a place where your unique perspectives and experiences will be valued.
We recognise how important it is to operate sustainably as a global business, so your input is crucial to helping us achieve our climate change targets. For example, by 2030, our ambition is to be carbon neutral across all of our operations, so it’s an exciting time to join us and play your part in achieving our sustainability goals.
We’re so serious about this, we launched a first-of-a-kind sustainability apprenticeship programme designed to help accelerate the reduction in our carbon footprint.
#5 Choose from a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities
Whether you’re helping to develop our cutting-edge products across land, air, sea or cyber, or working across all sectors, you’ll gain real world experience at BAE Systems.
We offer a variety of apprenticeship levels to suit people at different stages of their working life. These are available in more than 50 job areas, which include the following:
| Commerce | Engineering | Skilled trades | Project management | Manufacturing | Digital |
| Business | Aircraft maintenance | Sheet metal | Project management | Manufacturing | Information technology (IT) |
| Finance | Electrical engineering | Welding | Project controller | Quality control | Software engineering |
| Procurement | Mechanical engineering | Scaffolding | Test and commissioning | Cyber security | |
| Operations | Design | Data analysis | |||
| Human resources | |||||
| Quantity surveying |
Why join BAE Systems as an apprentice?
At BAE Systems, the opportunities open to you are limitless. You’ll be learning every day, discovering new innovations and getting involved in exciting projects – from day one. You're able to choose from a wide range of roles to match your own interests while you're earning a competitive salary.
Our experienced and passionate team will always be there to provide the coaching and support to help you succeed. You can expect a career full of opportunity working on projects that make a real difference - to protect those who protect us.
Please visit our apprenticeships page to learn more about starting your career at BAE Systems. You can also get an insider’s perspective with our inspiring employee stories. Ready to start your apprenticeship journey with us? Then take a look at the apprenticeship roles we currently have available.
To note, our apprentice application window is open for a few months, usually opening at the beginning of November and closing end February.
Please note that some roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions. Your nationality or place of birth may also limit the roles you can undertake.
Hear from our inspiring apprentices
Want to know more about life as an apprentice at BAE Systems? Find out first hand from some of our current and former apprentices.