Babcock to create 1,000 new jobs at Rosyth

Over four years, Babcock will recruit 400 apprentices, 350 production support operatives, skilled engineers, tradespeople, and graduates. The roles will support programmes like the Type 31 ‘Inspiration Class’ frigate design and build programme.

In a statement, David Lockwood, chief executive, Babcock International Group, said: “Continued investment in Babcock’s development programmes and facilities enables our apprentices, graduates and trainees to experience a mix of on-the-job learning in a modern, digitally led industrial environment, alongside academic training with further education partners and our own Babcock Skills Academy.

Babcock said the production support operative initiative is focused on attracting people from a range of backgrounds and experience, including those not currently in education, employment, or training, with the role centred around support and learning from time-served tradespeople.

Babcock’s latest recruits will join an advanced manufacturing and digitally enabled facility that has seen investment of over £200m in recent decades.

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Apprentice numbers are also increasing at Babcock’s operation on the west coast of Scotland, supporting His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde and the UK’s submarine enterprise, with Babcock’s apprenticeship opportunities expected to double in 2024.

Paul Sheerin, chief executive of Scottish Engineering, said: “Babcock Rosyth’s announcement is fantastic news for the engineering industry in Scotland – and the wider UK too. With a staggering four hundred of the one thousand newly created roles being apprentices, what a fantastic opportunity to add highly-skilled, well-paid jobs to our economy, and boost our talent pool significantly. It creates the chance for people new to the world of work, and those seizing the option to change track on their career, to contribute to the never more important security of the UK.”