AWE partners with UKESF

AWE partners with UKESF to attract emerging talent to electronics

AWE, one of the UK’s largest high-technology research and development facilities, has joined the prominent industry backed UKESF programme to sponsor and mentor the next generation of engineers.

AWE is at the leading edge of electronics innovation and has played a crucial role in national nuclear defence and security for over 60 years, working alongside the UK Government.

The UK defence industry is renowned for developing world-class capabilities and providing a wide range of exciting opportunities for UK employment across a number of different technical and specialist fields.

AWE employs around 4,500 staff and over 2,000 contractors, whose work covers a vast range of disciplines, including scientists, engineers, technicians, crafts-people, quality, security and safety specialists, as well as business and administrative experts – many of whom are leaders in their field.

The UKESF’s operating model offers a ready-made programme of activities through which companies engage with school and university students. It was this operating model which was key to AWE’s decision to join the programme.

Shan Martin Director HR for AWE said: “AWE is keen to engage with the UKESF programme, working from school age up through to early career employment. The UKESF model dovetails perfectly with our graduate training programme, accredited by seven professional institutions. We look forward to a sustainable pipeline of graduates joining AWE to become talented engineers. Longer term, we would look to link the UKESF model to our well established and nationally recognised Apprenticeship Scheme as an entry point for practical skills training.

“As a leading service provider in the UK, the defence sector plays a critical and strategic role in the industrial, technological and manufacturing base as well as national defence and security. The invaluable contribution being made by scientists, engineers, technologists, graduates, apprentices and many others, is an essential component to our national security, national defence and to support the UK economy.”