13 Jul 2010 | Ref. 139/2010
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Chairman Calls For Collaboration As BAE Systems Commits To Skills Drive
London, United Kingdom: BAE Systems’ Chairman Dick Olver today called on UK companies, the Government, professional institutions and academia to invest in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing skills base to ensure that the UK can continue to compete globally.
Mr Olver made his comments as BAE Systems launched the findings of its UK skills review at the Royal Academy of Engineering’s premises in London. The resulting Skills 2020 strategy sets out the action the company needs to take to operate successfully over the next decade, into 2020 and beyond. Skills 2020 will ensure the Company’s UK business develops, nurtures and retains the skills of its people.
The Company’s skills strategy document, Delivering Skills for the Future, outlines the results of the review commissioned in autumn 2009 by Cambridge University’s Institute for Manufacturing. It gives high-level insight into the views of senior leaders in BAE Systems, its customers and peer companies.
Delivering Skills for the Future recognises the way in which the procurement of defence products and services used by the armed forces has changed. The armed forces require the latest technology delivered with agility, speed and cost-effectiveness. As a result, BAE Systems will prioritise the need to develop more people with the skills to work side-by-side with the armed forces, on an international basis and across traditional engineering disciplines.
A key element of BAE Systems’ Skills 2020 strategy is to encourage ‘through-career’ skills development. This approach begins with encouraging young people to consider a career in engineering whilst at school, to providing continuous training for those in employment with the Company, and concludes with advice for employees reaching retirement age. To ensure the ‘talent pipeline’ is maintained, the approach demands concerted action in promoting science, technology, engineering and maths in schools, colleges and universities.
Speaking at today’s launch, Mr Olver warned: “Without action, the UK’s widening skills gap will have become an irreversible gulf. We need an informed debate and close collaboration to address the UK’s engineering and manufacturing skills needs. It is essential that companies continue to invest in the skills of their people.”
John Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning said: “The new Government is committed to developing a clear path for the acquisition of technical skills at the highest level. I commend BAE Systems for its work with a range of partners to ensure that the training we provide matches what businesses want.”
BAE Systems Group Managing Director, Nigel Whitehead said: “Skills development has always been important for us. We invest more than £50 million per annum in supporting skills and education activity in the UK.”
The Skills 2020 launch event was the first in a series hosted by BAE Systems to stimulate a wider discussion of the UK’s skills issues.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).
For further information, please contact:
Kate Watcham, BAE Systems
Tel: +44(0)1252 383550 Mob: +44(0) 7793 420731
Kate.watcham@baesystems.com
Sean Galvin, FD
Tel: +44(0)20 72697133 Mob: +44(0) 7788 568 245
sean.galvin@fd.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
