Report reveals benefits of submarine construction for Cumbria

Above: Shoppers in Bridge shopping centre, Barrow, Cumbria.
Courtesy BAE Systems

A new Social Impact Report from BAE Systems’ Submarines business outlines the depth and breadth of the Company’s investment in educational community initiatives in the area throughout 2024.
    
This includes a new £100,000 donation to Barrow’s Dock Museum, matching a separate contribution of the same amount which the business provided in 2020 to help fund the Submariner’s Story exhibition detailing day-to-day life on a submarine.

In all, the Company reached more than 14,000 people through its education and skills outreach in the area last year, supported 64 local community initiatives and took on more than 900 new early career starters.



Last year also saw the opening of The Bridge on Portland Walk, a space where local organisations and third parties can promote the wide range of career opportunities in the area. It aims to bring more footfall to Barrow town centre and support the attraction and retention of skills in support of all Furness employers, beyond the shipyard and its supply chain.

Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director at BAE Systems’ Submarines business, said: "We’re immensely proud that our business is based in Barrow and very conscious that we have a core responsibility to support the community here.

"There have been some huge developments such as opening The Bridge and continued progress towards the creation of a Submarines Centre for Experiential Learning in Barrow town centre.

"We’ve also seen a really significant and pleasing increase in the number of local institutions we are helping – particularly schools and colleges."

BAE Systems’ Submarines business also has a strategic partnership with the University of Cumbria to support the establishment of Barrow’s first university campus, which is due to open in September 2025. It will help fill the higher education skills gaps, offering degrees in subjects such as mechanical engineering and nursing.