BAE Systems sustains more than 40,000 North West jobs

By Tim Aldred

30 Jun 2023

BAE Systems 1

A new report has concluded that BAE Systems sustains a total of 41,200 jobs and spends £450m with 750 suppliers in the North West.

The research, carried out by Oxford Economics, shows that BAE Systems directly employs 22,400 across its sites in Samlesbury, Warton and Barrow-in-Furness. This figure accounts for almost 60 per cent of its total workforce.

Around 19,000 more jobs are sustained through the contractors, trade unions and suppliers BAE Systems engaged with across the region.

The company is also planning to hire thousands more experienced professionals and early careers trainees this year across the North West, at Warton, Samlesbury and Barrow-in-Furness where the business will grow significantly over the next few years. The wealth of opportunities available include careers in software and systems engineering, manufacturing and procurement.

Across the UK, BAE Systems supported 132,000 jobs and contributed £11bn to GDP – equivalent to 0.4 per cent of the domestic economy.

Almost 40 per cent of the company’s employees are based in the UK’s most deprived areas, where long-term employment opportunities are especially important. To support learning and development in these communities and across its workforce, the company spent £180m on education and skills last year, almost doubling its annual investment since the previous year.

As well as supporting educational outreach in local schools and colleges, this investment allows BAE Systems to provide lifelong development for its workforce, using bespoke facilities such as its Academies for Skills and Knowledge in Samlesbury and Barrow.

Last year, the company recruited more than 1,400 apprentices and graduates in the North West alone and the Ofsted Outstanding training provided in these academies helps ensure they receive the best possible start to their careers.

Strong partnerships across industry, academia and SMEs are a vital part of BAE Systems’ work and the company invested £1.4bn in research and development last year, both self-funded and on behalf of its customers, helping sustain the UK’s valuable engineering and technology sectors.

BAE Systems has operations around the world and is one of Britain’s leading exporters. In 2022, the Company exported £3.7bn of goods and services from the UK, including Typhoon aircraft manufactured in Lancashire. This is equivalent to almost 0.5 per cent of all UK exports and is set to continue as its site in Barrow-in-Furness takes a leading role in delivering the new SSN-AUKUS submarines for Australia.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems chief executive, said: “As one of the UK’s largest employers, we recognise our responsibility to help deliver economic prosperity as well as national security.

"Our continued investment in skills, technology and the communities where we live and work supports thousands of jobs and is creating opportunities for people to play an important role in helping to keep our country and our allies safe."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

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 Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin