Scottish shipbuilding sees increase in jobs

Employment in Scotland’s shipbuilding industry is experiencing a significant uptick, with naval work now directly employing over 7,000 people and providing more than 1,000 apprenticeships.

Recent data and statements from industry leaders underscore the sector’s growing contribution to job creation and skills development, reflecting a positive trend in Scotland’s maritime manufacturing.

In the earlier part of the decade, the industry supported 6,000 direct jobs, a figure that has since evolved to approximately 7,250 direct jobs. This change in employment levels is indicative of the industry’s response to strategic investments in capacity and capability enhancement.

Babcock currently have more than 180 apprentices and 3,500 people employed in Scotland, with these numbers only set to grow in the coming years with 1,000 new apprenticeships. In addition to this, Babcock has invested £35 million in a new digitally enabled build hall at its Rosyth facility, with the Venturer Building capable of housing two Type 31s frigates side by side for parallel build and assembly.

BAE Systems in Glasgow currently has 3,750 employees and around 600 apprentices and graduates in Glasgow. In 2024, they are set to recruit almost 2,700 apprentices and graduates across the UK, with 300 based in Glasgow. In addition, construction has begun on a new £12m Applied Shipbuilding Academy at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard, which will develop the existing workforce and attract new talent to the historic profession of shipbuilding.

Additionally, construction of a modern shipbuilding hall in Govan is underway and, together with a range of additional investments in technologies and equipment, it forms part of an overall £300m investment in the two sites in Glasgow over the next five years.

David Lockwood CEO, Babcock said:

“We were delighted to host the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP, at our Rosyth site ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship week.

Apprenticeships play a really important role in workforces across the UK, ensuring we can sustain the technical skills needed to continue to deliver critical national defence programmes, while offering exciting opportunities with direct benefits to local communities.”

Simon Lister, Managing Director of Naval Ships at BAE Systems said:

“We have a proud tradition of equipping our apprentices with the skills and training needed to develop long and rewarding careers. They are the next generation of shipbuilders that will design and build ships for the Royal Navy for decades to come.

Training a world-class workforce requires world-class facilities. That’s why, as well as our new Ship Build Hall, we are building our new Applied Shipbuilding Academy here in Glasgow, working closely with our regional partners to build sector skills.”