BAE commits £500,000 to digital skills education programme

By Tim Aldred

09 Mar 2023

Bae Systems Create Education Desktop

BAE Systems has committed £500,000 over the next three years to helping thousands of young people from across Lancashire to improve their digital skills.

The aerospace giant is backing Chorley-based CREATE Education, which will use the funds to expand its digital skills education programme in the region in a bid to reach 18,000 young people.

The programme works with schools in the county, giving them access to the very latest industry-standard equipment and expertise. Each school which takes part is provided with its own 3D printer and interactive training workshops for staff and students by CREATE Education.

Since the programme started, more than 100 teachers from 52 Lancashire secondary schools have received training in the use of printers and associated technology. They have also had support to embed learning into their school’s curriculum.

As a result, more than 2,500 Year 8 students have so far been given the opportunity to take part in interactive, hands-on workshops and develop their STEM and digital skills by designing and producing a 3D printed product.

Cliff Robson, managing director of BAE Systems Air sector, said: "As a major employer in Lancashire, we believe we have an important role to play inspiring the future generation and highlighting the breadth of exciting careers opportunities available to young people who have an interest in STEM.

"3D printing is playing an increasingly important role in manufacturing and the partnership has been an excellent way to reach and engage with more young people from across the county, teaching the critical skills the industry needs for the future and stimulating their interest in STEM-based careers."

Thanks to the success of the programme and the commitment to extend the partnership, an extra 9,000 primary school students from around 100 schools across the region will now have the opportunity to take part, this will double the number of Year 8 pupils the programme aims to reach to 18,000 overall.

Paul Croft, founder and director at CREATE Education, said: "It’s our mission to provide access to this inspirational additive manufacturing technology allowing young people the chance to learn and develop the necessary skills needed for the future.

"This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support from BAE Systems and we’re delighted to have been able to work with more than 50 schools so far. We’re hugely excited by the opportunity that further investment from BAE Systems will provide."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2025

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026

14 Jul 2025

2

Northcote celebrates prestigious industry marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession Northcotes winning awards

Northcote celebrates prestigious industry marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession

14 Jul 2025

3

Applebridge take over first floor letting at Ackhurst Business Park in Chorley John Kiernan - Construction Director & Paul Troubridge - Project Director; from the Applebridge Family

Applebridge take over first floor letting at Ackhurst Business Park in Chorley

14 Jul 2025

4

Expanding Airframe Designs appoints new advisory board chairman David Roberts and Jerrod Hartley

Expanding Airframe Designs appoints new advisory board chairman

14 Jul 2025

5

Booths win gold at International Cheese and Dairy awards Cheese counter at Booths

Booths win gold at International Cheese and Dairy awards

14 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin