Apprenticeships

Software Engineering: Electrical Engineering: Maintenance: Welding: Finance: Business: Aircraft Maintenance: Mechanical Engineering: Management: Design: Sheet Metal… just a few of the 25 different Apprenticeship programmes we offer across our UK businesses, including five degree level Apprenticeship programmes.

We offer over 25 award winning programmes across our sectors and sites in the UK, at all levels up to degree level apprenticeships. Whether you’re interested in technical, engineering, business, project management, cyber security or finance, a BAE Systems Apprenticeship will get your career off to the best possible start.

All our Apprenticeships guarantee you a good salary, recognised academic or vocational qualifications, hands-on training, and real work where you can make a valued contribution. With an average of 2,000 apprentices in our business at any time, you’ll be joining others who could become great colleagues and friends for life.

Apprenticeship vacancies are now open.

Employee Stories

Business Apprenticeship

Rewards & benefits

We’ll pay your fees so your hard-earned qualifications will be debt-free.
On-the-job training delivered by experienced professionals who’ll help you all the way.
Off-the-job training delivered in dedicated in-house training facilities or at our partner colleges or universities.
Real work placements in our businesses, working on the type of landmark projects that will shine on your CV.
Activities designed to enrich your experience including our Innovation Challenge with apprentices from all areas of our business; team building activities in the countryside; charity challenges; skills competitions; and inspiring activities to encourage young people’s interest in STEM.
Competitive salary across all our programmes
Company pension scheme.
Company share scheme.
25 days’ holiday plus statutory holidays.
National Union of Students (NUS) membership with discounts on goods and services all over the country.
A great job after completion. Around 95% of our apprentices choose to stay with us and go on to have really successful careers. You can choose to go for promotion and progression or continue learning in the role you’ve moved into
A world of opportunities. We’re a global business and our Apprenticeships create the skills and experiences for our people to travel far. There are increasing opportunities to travel and work overseas with our customers on exciting export programmes once you’ve completed your apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Enrichment

Our approach

We’re an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all parts of our society. We are happy to discuss any necessary adjustments or arrangements that might help support your application.

Within the company we have specialist employees whose job it is to champion diversity and inclusivity. They’re helped by a number of employee resource groups that support gender, disability and LGBT issues for our employees and create strong networks of support and interest.

We are committed to employee safety and welfare and operate a comprehensive safeguarding process, employee assistance programme and one-to-one help where needed. Our apprentices receive support from managers who are dedicated to helping them make the most of their programme. Many of our employees started their careers as apprentices and, working alongside you, they are passionate about inspiring you to achieve great things.

Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These mean that factors such as your nationality, any previous nationalities that you have held, and/or your place of birth my limit those roles that you can perform for the organisation. If you are concerned about how these limits may affect your application please email GART@baesystems.com

FAQs

- How many apprentices do you recruit each year?
- Can I apply if I haven’t done my GCSE or A Levels yet?
- How long is an Apprenticeship?
- What are the advantages of a BAE Systems Apprenticeship?
- Do you only recruit Engineering Apprentices?
- I’m not a UK National, can I still apply?
  
  Yes, we are an inclusive employer and strive to recruit, retain and inspire the best people from the widest pool. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss any adjustments or arrangements, as required, to support your application.
  
  Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions.
  
  These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and/or your place of birth may limit those roles that you can perform for the organisation.
  
  As a defence contractor there are security obligations placed on the company, meaning that all our applicants must be able to successfully achieve the relevant level of security clearance to join us.
  
  All roles within Maritime - Submarines are restricted to British citizens who do not hold dual nationality. Unfortunately, if you do not meet these criteria it will not be possible to take your application any further. This does not, however, exclude you from working for other parts of the BAE Systems organisation.
  
  Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor Tier 2 visa applications for Apprenticeship positions as they do not meet the minimum qualifying criteria for sponsorship requirements as laid out in the government guidelines.
- Can I apply for more than one Apprenticeship opportunity?
- What sort of person are you looking for?
  
  We’re looking for enthusiastic people who are keen to learn and give an Apprenticeship opportunity their all. Diversity strengthens our business and we encourage people from all walks of life to apply, regardless of gender or ethnicity. You don’t need to know everything about your chosen area of work – we’ll train you and give you the qualifications you need to progress in a career in your chosen field. We only ask that you demonstrate interest, passion and commitment to what you want to do.
- What happens once I have submitted my application?
- If I am unsuccessful can I apply again next year?
- Will the company support me to gain additional qualifications?
- What happens when I finish my Apprenticeship?
- Can I apply if I have a degree?
  
  If you have already achieved qualifications of the same or higher level in equivalent disciplines, our Apprenticeship programmes could be of limited benefit to you, and your application may be rejected. We have many other opportunities for qualified and passionate people which you can find here. If you have any doubts about whether you are eligible, talk to us at GART@baesystems.com.
- When do you open and close applications for Apprenticeships?
- What are the key dates?
  1 November 2018: You can apply for an Apprenticeship
  
  28 February 2019: We stop taking Apprenticeship applications
  
  March 2019: We review applications and shortlist, inviting successful candidates to complete online testing. You have seven days from receiving the tests to complete them. Candidates successful at the testing stage are invited to interviews.
  
  April 2019: Interviews take place.
  
  May 2019: Notification of conditional offers given.
  
  August 2019: Notification of firm offers given.
  
  August to September 2019: Start your Apprenticeship, depending on the role and business area you are recruited into.
- How long is the selection process?
- Will I be required to travel during the selection process?
- Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?
- If successful, when would I start?
- If successful, would I be able to receive help with relocating if I need to relocate?
- If I am unsuccessful, will this affect me if I apply next year?
- Who can I contact if I have any questions?