Babcock and BAE Systems have partnered to help strengthen the UK defence supply chain by connecting talented apprenticeship applicants with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) unable to attract the skills they need.
The two manufacturers are working with The 5% Club to launch the Apprenticeship Talent Bridge, an initiative designed to give candidates who miss out on apprenticeship places with major defence employers alternative routes into the sector.
The pilot is underway in two regions, with Babcock supporting the South West programme, covering Devonport, and BAE Systems supporting the North West pilot, covering Barrow-in-Furness and the Preston area. Apprentices are expected to be matched with SMEs from April 2027.
The collaboration aims to address a disconnect in the defence industry’s skills pipeline. Major employers attract large numbers of applicants to their apprenticeship programmes but cannot offer places to every strong candidate. At the same time, smaller businesses across the supply chain can struggle to recruit the people they need.
By working together to connect these candidates with alternative employers, Babcock and BAE Systems aim to widen access to engineering and manufacturing careers while helping build the skills and industrial resilience needed across the defence sector.
The initiative supports the Government’s Defence Youth Participation and Employment Pledge, which commits to a ‘no wrong door’ approach for young people seeking careers in defence.
Every young person who shows the talent and drive to succeed in defence deserves a route into the industry.
Initiatives like this make that happen, with industry working together to build skills, create jobs, and strengthen our defence industrial base for the long term.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP
Debbie Joce, skills director at Babcock, said the initiative demonstrated how collaboration between industry and government could create opportunities beyond individual employers.
“By bringing employers together to create more pathways into high-value, skilled careers, we can help ensure that talented individuals aren’t lost to the defence sector, and give them the chance to build a future in defence,” she said.
Participation in the scheme will be voluntary, with applicants’ data shared only with their consent. Prospective apprentices and employers will be able to register from October 2026.
The Apprenticeship Talent Bridge is funded by Ufi VocTech Trust and the ERA Foundation, with significant in-kind investment from The 5% Club. Airbus Defence and Space has also contributed insights to the initiative.
For more articles like this, visit our Skills channel
