Today’s defence-related news includes the announcement of a £25m training facility at BAE Systems. The Royal Marines, currently conducting Arctic training in Norway, were also treated to a spectacular view of the Northern Lights. Elements of the Commando Helicopter Force are currently providing training 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at Bardufoss, where temperatures have already reached –31C.
BAE Apprentices
There has been local coverage including on ITV and the North West Evening Mail, reporting on the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s visit to BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, as the shipyard announced a £25m training facility.
The Defence Secretary said ‘Barrow is leading the way’ at BAE Systems Submarines as he met apprentices at its new super training hub which is set to open next year. It is being funded through BAE Systems investment, and will include to-scale submarine mock-up sections which will allow apprentices to gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment. Barrow shipyard has just under 1,000 apprentices and it is expected to recruit more than 200 more this year.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
This investment demonstrates the benefits that our growing defence budget brings for highly skilled jobs in the North West and across the country.
It will ensure we have people with the skills necessary to deliver one of the most complex programmes in the world that will help modernise our fleet of nuclear submarines.
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