BAE takes on trainees

General union Unite has welcomed the decision by BAE Systems to recruit 1,250 new trainees in 2021 as “much-needed positive news for the UK’s aerospace sector” and for UK manufacturing as a whole.

The trainees will be split between 850 apprentices and 400 graduate roles. Over 75% of the apprentices and 50% of the graduate roles will be based in northern England.

Unite has further welcomed BAE’s recruitment of 20 displaced apprentices who lost their training opportunity when their parent company was no longer able to continue with their programme.

Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Steve Turner said: “For those wanting to start their working life in this industry, this is particularly great news, especially with opportunities for young workers few and far between thanks to the pandemic.”