Media
BAE SYSTEMS and Xchanging Recognised for Excellence in Apprentice Training
10 Sep 2002
The UK Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has designated BAE Systems as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for its apprentice training programme, managed and delivered to BAE Systems by Xchanging HR Services. This designation marks BAE Systems as one of only five work-based learning providers to achieve this status in England. The designation was conferred on BAE Systems in a ceremony at its Training Centre, near to its Warton and Samlesbury facilities in Preston, Lancashire, by Tony Blair, the Prime Minister.
The apprentice training programme at BAE Systems has currently more than 1000 trainees, with plans to increase that number. The programme offers Level 3(Advanced Modern Apprenticeship) training covering various aspects of engineering, including Marine Engineering. Aeronautical engineering is the largest area of training. The trainees move on to work on leading BAE Systems programmes such as Eurofighter Typhoon, Nimrod MRA4, Type 45 Destroyer.
BAE Systems partnered with Xchanging in May 2001 to provide a wide range of Human Resources services including the provision of Apprenticeship Training, this ground breaking approach aimed at improving services through access to external skills, technology and funding has helped gain this government recognition.
"We are very pleased to be recognised for doing something that we consider extraordinarily important -- the education, and continuing education, of our workforce," said Sir Richard Evans, Chairman of BAE Systems. "Whether it is about initial training in the workplace such as this, continuing education available through our Virtual University, or re-training to improve or re-direct skill sets, we have made a significant investment, with government, in preserving qualified employees. To ensure the skills of our workforce continually meet the needs of the business. We are very pleased to be partnered in this apprentice training effort with the expertise of Xchanging, directing and managing this programme to such a clearly excellent result."
David Andrews, CEO of Xchanging, said "Xchanging believe passionately in the need to train Britain's workforce to compete effectively in the global market place. We are pleased to see the government shares in our vision and delighted to have been a catalyst in the recognition of BAE Systems, tremendous efforts."
As a result of this award, the BAE Systems Preston Training Facility will receive up to £300,000 in the coming year, to improve the training through capital investment, staff development, and other efforts to further this training.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around £13 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.