Inclusion that changes lives: building future talent through belonging and opportunity

What happens when a young person is given an opportunity, believes they belong and is supported to reach their potential?

At BAE Systems, we see the answer time and again. Confidence grows. Aspirations rise. Barriers reduce. Careers flourish. Most importantly, young people begin to see what they are capable of.

This sits at the heart of our apprenticeship programme, supporting thousands of apprentices across the UK. It is also one of the reasons why Ofsted recognised our provision as Exceptional, highlighting our culture of inclusion and the transformative impact it has on apprentices.

Behind that recognition is an approach that starts long before an apprentice joins us and continues throughout their journey. From opening up opportunities to young people who may not previously have considered a career in our industry, to understanding individual needs and providing the right support to thrive, inclusion is embedded throughout the apprentice experience.

Inclusion starts before day one

A young person's first experience of work can shape their confidence and expectations for years to come. At BAE Systems, creating an inclusive apprenticeship experience starts long before someone walks through the door.

Our Early Careers and Inclusive Learning teams engage with individuals before they begin their programme, taking time to understand their strengths, ambitions and any barriers that could affect their learning or development.

That means support can be in place from the outset. Whether it is assistive technology, digital learning tools, British Sign Language support, reasonable adjustments or tailored mentoring, we work to remove barriers early so apprentices can focus on developing their skills, building relationships and making their contribution.

It is a personalised approach that recognises that providing the same experience for everyone doesn't necessarily give everyone the same opportunity to succeed.

Creating opportunity before a career begins

An inclusive apprenticeship programme cannot start with the people who already know they want to apply. For many young people, particularly those with less exposure to industries such as engineering, technology and manufacturing, the first step is being able to see these careers as a possibility at all.

Through STEM programmes, work experience, T Level industry placements and partnerships such as Movement to Work, we're giving young people opportunities to experience the workplace, develop skills, and connect with people already building careers in our industry. Having recently celebrated 10 years of Movement to Work, supporting over 1000 NEET pupils, and directly employing over 350 onto our apprenticeships, we recognise the life changing impact and importance of these programmes as flagged in the Milburn review.  

In 2025 alone, our Education Roadshow, delivered in partnership with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, reached more than 160,000 participants. Combined with our wider STEM outreach, we created opportunities for more than 315,000 young people across the UK.

Nearly 30% of recent apprentice intakes have also come from areas with the highest levels of social deprivation. For some, these early experiences can change their perception of where they might belong. A career they hadn't previously considered can start to feel possible, opening up pathways into highly skilled work that may otherwise have remained unexplored.

From opportunity to belonging

Creating the opportunity is only the beginning. Once an apprentice joins us, our focus is on giving them the environment and support to make the most of it.

Line managers, placement teams and mentors work alongside our Early Careers specialists to help apprentices build confidence, develop their skills and take on increasingly stretching opportunities. Today, 17% of our apprentices in learning have disclosed a learning need or difference. Some have also faced significant barriers to education or challenging personal circumstances.

Support is tailored to the individual. For care-experienced apprentices and those facing personal challenges, financial, practical and wellbeing support can provide stability when it is needed, helping them to continue learning and progressing. We see the impact in what apprentices go on to achieve. Across our programmes, they are earning distinctions, merit grades and first-class honours, contributing to significant projects and taking on greater responsibilities.

But success isn't always captured by a qualification or promotion. It can be an apprentice finding their voice, having the confidence to take on something new or recognising strengths they hadn't previously seen in themselves.

Creating careers for life

An apprenticeship is a starting point, not a destination. We support apprentices as they move into permanent roles, with opportunities to continue learning, build new skills and develop long-term careers.

By widening access and supporting people to thrive, we're developing diverse talent and building the skills and capability our business needs for the future. Our Ofsted recognition is something we're proud of, but it's the experiences behind it that matter most: apprentices being given opportunities, overcoming barriers and discovering what they can achieve.

Because inclusion is about more than support. It is about creating possibility.