UK defence employers target 50,000 youth opportunities a year by 2035

Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus and other major employers have joined a government-backed skills pledge covering apprenticeships, work experience, STEM outreach and entry-level routes into defence careers

The Defence Youth Participation and Employment Pledge includes commitments to expand apprenticeships, work experience and technical career pathways for young people across the UK

Some of the UK’s largest defence companies have signed a joint skills agreement with the government that is expected to provide more than 40,000 opportunities for young people each year by 2030, rising to around 50,000 annually by 2035.

Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Babcock, BAE Systems, Helsing, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Navantia, Palantir, QinetiQ, Safran and Thales are among the businesses involved in the Defence Youth Participation and Employment Pledge.

The focus is on people under 25, including those who are not in education, employment or training, with employers committing to expand apprenticeships, work experience, placements and careers engagement.

The program is tied to a wider workforce requirement across the sector. The government says around 53,000 additional workers will be needed by 2035 in areas including engineering, computer science, skilled trades and project management.

Apprenticeship target set at 14,000 a year

By 2035, defence employers and their supply chains are expected to support at least 14,000 people annually through apprenticeship programs.

Those routes span Levels 2 to 7 and include technical, digital, engineering and specialist pathways.

Employers will also work with Defence Technical Excellence Colleges and further and higher education providers to shape training around priority occupations and regional workforce demand.

The plan extends beyond formal apprenticeships. Work experience and placement opportunities are due to increase by 25% against the 2025 baseline, covering formats including industrial placements, T Levels, employability programs and virtual work experience.

For Rolls-Royce, the agreement builds on its existing early-career and STEM activity.

CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç says: “At Rolls-Royce, we have seen first-hand how early career opportunities in defence build a stronger industrial base with cross-sector benefits. 

“We are proud to partner with the UK government and our industry peers to invest in the talent of tomorrow, not only for today’s programmes but for the capabilities the UK will need in the future.”

Applicants could be redirected to other defence employers

One of the more practical changes is a “no wrong door” approach to recruitment.

With an applicant’s consent, companies will be able to consider suitable candidates for other vacancies elsewhere in the defence supply chain if they are unsuccessful in their original application.

The government also plans to increase visibility of defence careers through tools including the UCAS Defence Portal and the Graduate and Apprenticeship Talent Bridge.

Career, STEM and community engagement activity is also expected to rise by 25% by 2035, with work involving schools, colleges, Careers Hubs, Youth Hubs and Jobcentres.

Industry partners are expected to contribute staff time, mentors, ambassadors, equipment and technical expertise to that outreach.

The agreement sits alongside a £182 million defence skills package covering Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, the Defence Universities Alliance and defence-specific apprenticeship and training routes.

The forthcoming Defence Jobs Plan will set out how the government and industry intend to deliver and measure the commitments, with progress expected to be reported annually.