A training facility built by BAE Systems has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors in the first 12 months since opening.
The Academy for Skills and Knowledge was officially opened on 1 December 2016 to train BAE Systems’ future workforce and provide life-long learning for its employees. The Academy also offers school-aged children the opportunity to discover more about careers in engineering and technology.
In its first year, the Academy has had almost 50,000 visits, delivered more than 250,000 learning and training hours and welcomed more than 1,000 school children. More than 550 apprentices, graduates, industrial placement and interns have been through the Academy.
The Academy has welcomed visitors from India, Turkey, Malaysia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, USA and Australia as well as trainees from Saudi Arabia.
HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Academy in March and a number of senior Government Ministers, MPs, councillors and representatives from local Government have also been hosted in the past year.
The Academy has been shortlisted in this year’s Association for Project Management award for Project of the Year: Specialists.
Nigel Davies, Principal at the Academy for Skills and Knowledge, said: “Over the past 12 months the Academy has showcased BAE Systems’ skills, training and education capabilities and grown into a truly demand-led and inspirational learning place. I have seen young people from local schools as well as our next generation of designers and engineers, embrace new and advanced technologies in the Academy..
“It has been a delight to welcome visitors to the Academy from across the world and demonstrate the investment we are making in learning and development with our existing and future workforce.”
BAE Systems is committed to investing in its current and future workforce. In 2017, BAE Systems took on over 800 graduates and apprentices across the UK and had over 2000 graduates and apprentices in training.
Applications for apprenticeships are currently open until 28 February 2018, find out more here.
