Babcock Sparks Apprentice Skills With New Welding School in Bristol

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has launched a new apprenticeship welding school in Bristol, which will fuse traditional welding training with augmented reality, providing a skills boost to the region and UK defence.

The welding school opens as the UK faces an increased demand in these critical skills driven by growth in national defence programmes and technology advancements alongside an ageing workforce and a decline in welding apprenticeship opportunities.

As part of the wider Babcock Academy, a collaborative training approach across the UK in partnership with external learning providers, the new welding apprentices will progress through their course with academic partners Weston College providing specialist welding skills alongside Babcock. The trainees will work on a variety of programmes in areas such as advanced manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul.

The facility was officially opened by Bristol South MP Karin Smyth and Chief Executive of Babcock’s Mission Systems business, Neal Misell. Representatives from the UWE (University of West of England), Gloucester College and Weston College also attended the milestone event.

To demonstrate the skills required for a career in welding, the apprentices set an augmented reality welding challenge for guests, using a new hi-tech welding kit to showcase how new technology has changed this career.

Neal Misell, Chief Executive of Mission Systems, Babcock said:

“Investing in skills that support the defence industry’s critical role in the security of the UK is vital. Ensuring we have a new generation of talent, delivered in dynamic collaboration with our customers and partners, will help us to meet the growing demands of the major defence programmes we support.

“This dedicated, on-site welding school will create new jobs, help us maintain these sought after skills and underlines our commitment within the wider South West region.”

Karin Smyth MP said:

“Babcock have been a valued employer in the community I represent for many years, they consistently demonstrate a commitment to the region and supporting new pathways into employment. I have long championed apprenticeships in Bristol South and the wider area, and this welding school will play a key part in delivering good quality jobs critical for our nation’s defence in the years ahead.”

Babcock supports 21,500 jobs in the region and contributes £1.3bn per year in the regional economy.