Babcock Boosts Graduate and Apprentice Recruitment with Record Intake

Babcock has opened applications for its 2026 apprentice intake as the company unveils the recruitment of a record number of graduates and apprentices across its UK business.

As part of its commitment to developing emerging talent, around 1,600 roles have been created across the 2025/26 period as the company increases investment in the next generation of talent to support national and international defence.

Babcock has created 750 emerging talent career roles across the UK in 2025, with 850 expected in 2026. The business is investing in the next generation of talent to support national and international defence, engineering excellence, and digital transformation.

The 2025 intake comprised 500 apprenticeships and 250 graduate roles across major UK sites, spanning traditional trades such as welding, mechanical and electrical fitting, and fabrication, alongside cutting-edge digital disciplines including data analytics and digital manufacturing, with their performance helping to fuel the company’s growth.

These opportunities reflect Babcock’s role as a modern defence and engineering organisation that blends heritage skills with future-focused capabilities.

David Lockwood, CEO said:

“Our graduate and apprentice programmes are designed to equip professionals with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“Whether it is building warships, maintaining submarines, or developing secure communications systems, apprentices and graduates play a vital role in delivering programmes of national importance.”

Opportunities across the Babcock's core sectors

The graduate and apprentice roles span Babcock’s core sectors: Marine, Nuclear, Land, and Aviation, as well as corporate functions. Apprentices and graduates have the opportunity to contribute to programmes such as the maintenance and upgrade of advanced naval platforms, the support of military vehicle fleets, and the provision of aircraft maintenance and emergency response services. These roles offer hands-on experience with some of the most complex and critical engineering challenges in the UK.

Driving prosperity through the Defence Dividend

This recruitment drive forms part of the company’s broader contribution to the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to strengthen sovereign capabilities and stimulate economic growth. According to independent research, Babcock contributed £4.3 billion to UK GDP in FY2024 and supports 67,000 jobs nationwide.

The Defence Dividend is being felt across the country, with significant regional recruitment in:

• Scotland – supporting naval and nuclear programmes, with hundreds of new roles across HMNB Clyde, the Rosyth facility and other key sites.
• South West England – including major investment in Bristol and Devonport, with expanded opportunities in nuclear, marine and land.

Babcock is also investing in regional regeneration, including relocating over 2,000 staff to Plymouth City Centre as part of its Defence Dividend Blueprint.

A modern organisation for a changing world

The company’s approach to recruitment reflects its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and innovation. Babcock has launched pre-apprenticeship schemes, gamified recruitment tools, and outreach programmes to widen access and attract talent from underrepresented groups.

From submarines beneath the waves to secure communications in space, Babcock offer a career that makes a difference. Applications for the 2026 apprentice intake that are open can be accessed via the Early Careers website.