Securing the UK’s future with apprentices
As the world, and the UK in particular, continues to contend with a STEM skills shortage it is now more essential than ever to develop long term strategic solutions. That’s why at Raytheon UK, we embrace every route into industry. We believe apprenticeships offer great opportunities for anyone building a career or skill in the cyber, defence, space or aviation sector – talent that will help plug the growing skills gap in these markets.
As an industry we are making progress, with apprentices now making up more than 5% of the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors workforce. We remain committed to facilitating a future where apprenticeships are a real alternative to attending university and a route to better paid, highly skilled jobs that embrace innovation, and enhance the productivity of our sector and economy.
To this end, we recently attended the ADS Annual Apprenticeship Reception at the Palace of Westminster, where early careers employees from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including from Raytheon Technologies’ companies – Raytheon UK, Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, gathered to celebrate apprenticeships in the UK.
As an apprentice myself years ago, I know what a valuable experience it is. I was not only able to study and learn essential skills but gain independence whilst building invaluable relationships with my mentors and teachers. Hearing from our apprentices at the reception reaffirmed my view that regardless of age, alternatives to university, such as technical or academic apprenticeships, offer exciting routes into high-tech, high-skill, high-wage careers.
Amidst live and increasing geopolitical threats, it is more important than ever to protect our
interests at home and abroad. We are investing in game-changing technology, skills and innovation to keep the UK at the cutting edge of defence. At the same time, we are also delivering on our commitment to our people, our principles and our planet, and supporting businesses, communities and SMEs up and down the country. I am proud of the leading role that Raytheon UK plays across all these areas. Indeed, our cyber apprenticeship program – the first-ever offered by a UK defence company – has trained more than 200 apprentices over the last three years at a critical time when the UK is under increasing cyber threat. We will continue to play our part in keeping the UK at the forefront of global cyber security as we train a new generation of cybersecurity experts to keep us ahead of emerging threats, spreading opportunity to all, across every region of the UK.