BREAKING NEWS: Babcock International Group is spearheading an urgent new initiative to boost engineering skills in Plymouth schools, aiming to inspire a future generation of technical experts. This initiative is part of a larger national effort backed by a staggering £182 million investment from the UK government, targeting critical workforce shortages in engineering and defense sectors.
The project, unveiled at the recent Engineering Skills: Powering UK Defence event in Parliament, is set to launch in March 2026 and will run until the end of the academic year in July 2026. Babcock will deliver a series of STEM engagement activities to local schools, particularly prioritizing those with minimal exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects.
Neil Young, Babcock’s global engineering capability director, emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “The world needs more engineers and we need them now.” He underscored the role of Babcock as a key player in the UK defense sector, committing to both employment and economic growth through skills development.
This pilot program in Plymouth is designed not just as a local effort but as a potential model for future regional initiatives across the UK. It highlights the significance of industry-led engagement in regions heavily involved in defense activities.
During the launch, Louise Atkinson, chief people officer at Babcock, revealed a wide range of skills programs currently being funded, which include welding, cyber apprenticeships, and specialized career paths for veterans. The pressing need for skilled professionals is evident, with an estimated 834,000 jobs expected to be created over the next five years in clean energy, defense, digital, and housebuilding sectors. This growth is projected to elevate the combined workforce in these areas to 5.3 million by 2030.
As the UK faces increasing demand for sovereign engineering skills, partnerships like this one with Babcock are crucial in securing the talent pipeline necessary for national security. The initiative seeks to break down barriers and ensure that engineering is accessible to every schoolchild, making it not only a career option but a viable future for many.
Watch for more updates on this developing story as Babcock’s STEM initiative unfolds, aiming to shape the next generation of engineers in Plymouth and beyond.
