General Atomics

Babcock supports work returners

Babcock recently welcomed participants in the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) to its Vehicle Engineering site in Walsall to showcase its products and services while demonstrating the variety of career opportunities it offers to people looking to return to work.



Image courtesy Babcock


The SWAP, which was developed in collaboration with the local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Walsall Council and Walsall College, supports those in the local community interested in finding out more about roles in defence and gaining the qualifications, skills and experience that will support them with their return to employment.

During the two-week training programme, participants were provided with the opportunity to achieve a Level 1 Award in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Awareness, Level 1 Award in Health and Safety, basic vehicle awareness and transferable employability skills with a focus on Babcock and defence.

Participants visiting Babcock’s site in Walsall were given an overview of the critical role it plays in supporting UK defence and security before going on a tour of the facility which is home to our new General Logistics Vehicle family and Babcock’s Civilian Armoured Vehicle, used in more than 60 locations around the world. During the tour participants had the opportunity to observe six demonstrations including electrical design, scanning and computer aided design and welding, gaining a great insight into our business.

The initiative forms part of Babcock’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and represents the third programme of its type that it has been involved in, following similar programmes in Devonport.

Adam, a participant of the SWAP, said: “From my visit to Babcock it is evident that the staff are passionate and truly enjoy their work. The SWAP is a positive initiative and Babcock is doing a good thing supporting it.”

Gordon Reynolds, Babcock’s Transformation Director, added: “Babcock is committed to supporting the local community and providing employment opportunities for people looking for a fulfilling and rewarding career – and our partnership with the DWP, Walsall Council and Walsall College is a perfect example of this in action.”

Related

British Airways chooses Pratt & Whitney engines for next A320neo fleet
british airways a320neo
British Airways chooses Pratt & Whitney engines for next A320neo fleet
The agreement introduces Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan technology to British Airways’ latest-generation short-haul fleet from 2027.
Aerospace Member News

20 Jul 2026

UK eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace adds Sigma Air Mobility as Valo customer
VErtical aerospace does a deal with Sigma Air Mobility backed by Luxaviation
UK eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace adds Sigma Air Mobility as Valo customer
The agreement brings Luxaviation’s global operating experience into the UK-developed Valo programme as Vertical prepares for certification and commercial service.
Aerospace Most Read

20 Jul 2026

UK risks missing aerospace MRO boom without national strategy, NMIS warns
British Airways Airbus A380 in the MRO workshop
UK risks missing aerospace MRO boom without national strategy, NMIS warns
NMIS CTO Coreen McCubbin says the UK must invest in skills, digital technology and MRO innovation or risk losing aftermarket work to rival global hubs.
Aerospace Defence Insights

18 Jul 2026

UK risks missing aerospace MRO boom without national strategy, NMIS warns
British Airways Airbus A380 in the MRO workshop
UK risks missing aerospace MRO boom without national strategy, NMIS warns
NMIS CTO Coreen McCubbin says the UK must invest in skills, digital technology and MRO innovation or risk losing aftermarket work to rival global hubs.
Aerospace Defence Insights

18 Jul 2026

UK commits £255m to prepare Ukraine for Saab Gripen E fighters
Saab Gripen E for Ukraine
UK commits £255m to prepare Ukraine for Saab Gripen E fighters
The package will fund training, simulators, spare parts and logistics for Ukraine’s future Gripen E fleet while supporting around 5,000 jobs across the UK defence supply chain.
Defence Most Read

17 Jul 2026

Storm Fighter to lead new RAF collaborative combat aircraft family
BAE Systems Tempest with loyal wingman drones
Storm Fighter to lead new RAF collaborative combat aircraft family
Why the RAF is now racing do develop not only a high-end CCA called Storm Fighter, but also a complementary family of smaller autonomous aircraft to fly alongside crewed fighters.
Defence Most Read

17 Jul 2026

UK space sector punches above its weight but struggles to scale
United kingdom from space by NASA
UK space sector punches above its weight but struggles to scale
Britain captures around 5% of the global space market despite accounting for approximately 1% of government space spending worldwide. However, the UK Space Agency’s final annual report warns that the country has yet to solve its persistent scale-up challenge.
Space

17 Jul 2026

Serco awarded ESA contract to support FLEX Earth observation mission
Earth observation satellite
Serco awarded ESA contract to support FLEX Earth observation mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) has contracted Serco to manage and deliver FLEX satellite data products to its users.
Member News Space

17 Jul 2026

ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
6G network
ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
Keysight will serve as the prime contractor, collaborating with Sateliot to support key technical development and satellite mission integration.
Member News Space

16 Jul 2026

Critical UK sectors targeted by Russian cyber actors
A hacker at a computer as government urges organisations to improve cyber security
Critical UK sectors targeted by Russian cyber actors
A new advisory has been issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and international partner agencies, urging the UK and its allies to defend against Russian state cyber actors’ global exploitation of poorly configured routers, as the UK sanctions Russian state and criminal networks for cyber and hybrid operations and calls out the FSB for a reckless attack on Poland’s energy grid.
Security

17 Jul 2026

UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Spearhead SME member representatives
UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Twenty-eight UK-owned defence and security SMEs have formed Spearhead, offering government and prime contractors access to specialist capability through one contract and one accountable delivery team.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.