Babcock International Group has signed a new partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, on National Engineering Day, at an event in Westminster.
The partnership forms part of Babcock’s continued commitment to lifetime engineering, tackling skills shortages, inspiring the next generation of future talent and investing in a future for growth.
Attending the event with a group of Babcock’s graduates and apprentices was Neil Young, Babcock’s Global Engineering Capability Director. He called the partnership “a pivotal moment in Babcock’s commitment to investing in the future of engineering.”
“As a major sovereign UK defence company, Babcock delivers employment and growth, but just as importantly we invest in skills development and future talent, supporting 26,000 colleagues in the UK alone. Demand for engineering skills continues to soar across the country, and the critical nature of the work we do means partnerships like this are vital in helping us to secure the skills and talent needed to underpin national security,” he said.
The partnership will build on existing engineering skills initiatives such as the Academy’s This is Engineering and Babcock’s flagship STEM event, Festival of Engineering.
Electrical apprentice, Maya, part of the Babcock delegation, added: “It’s been amazing to be part of today and the new partnership. I have always dreamed of being an engineer as I believe engineers can make the world a better, safer place and hopefully my contribution is making a difference.”
This announcement supports existing commitments as part of the Defence Dividend. Over the past year as part of its investment in STEM initiatives, it launched its first national series of Festival of Engineering events in Bristol, Rosyth, and Plymouth, promoting STEM careers to over 1,500 schoolchildren.
Babcock has also engaged with more than 82,000 children across the UK on STEM-related activities, equivalent to one in every 130 UK school children.
As part of National Engineering today, the Academy has also launched the final report in its Engineering 2030 series and the inspiring AI-Z of Engineering Careers, showcasing the incredible diversity of engineers and the roles they play in shaping our world.
Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering said: “Nobody can be in any doubt that technology is transforming our world, and that means that engineering is also constantly evolving. We’re delighted to be launching an AI-Z that highlights the role engineers play today, and how they’re shaping the future, often without people even realising it. National Engineering Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the difference that engineers make to our lives, and to inspire a new generation by showing how broad, creative and vital engineering can be.”
