Babcock has partnered with The 5% Club and BAE Systems to launch the Apprenticeship Talent Bridge, a new initiative designed to connect talented apprenticeship applicants with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the defence supply chain and local employer communities.
The initiative aims to create more employment opportunities for aspiring apprentices, helping employers access the skills they need, while ensuring talented individuals who are unsuccessful in securing an apprenticeship with a major defence employer have the opportunity to build a career in the sector.
The pilot phase is underway in two regions and apprentices will be matched to SMEs from April 2027. In the South West, covering Devonport the project will be supported by Babcock, and BAE Systems will support a North West pilot, covering Barrow-in-Furness and the Preston area.
The Apprenticeship Talent Bridge builds on the Government’s Defence Youth Participation and Employment Pledge, which commits to a ‘no wrong door’ approach for young people seeking a career in defence.
The initiative also seeks to build engineering and manufacturing skills in the defence sector, building industrial resilience. Major defence employers attract large numbers of applicants for their apprenticeship programmes but cannot offer a place to every strong candidate. At the same time, other employers in the same communities are struggling to attract the people and skills they need.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: “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.”
Debbie Joce, Babcock Skills Director, said:“Apprenticeships are vital to the future workforce and the long-term success of the defence industry. At Babcock, we recognise the role we play in creating these opportunities, not just within our own organisation but across the communities where we live and work.
“The Apprenticeship Talent Bridge is a great example of industry working together with government to open doors and create opportunities across the wider employer and supply chain community. 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.”
Participation is voluntary and applicants’ data is only shared with appropriate consent. Prospective apprentices and employers will be able to sign up to participate from October 2026.
The initiative is funded by Ufi VocTech Trust and the ERA Foundation, with significant in-kind investment from The 5% Club. It also benefits from insights shared by Airbus Defence and Space.