An agreement between the government and defence industry leaders aims to offer 40,000 young people across the UK opportunities in skilled Defence careers every year by 2030. This figure is projected to rise to 50,000 annually by 2035.
The agreement, signed yesterday by the Defence Secretary and industry leaders at a London roundtable, is a key part of the upcoming Industrial Strategy Defence Jobs Plan. It includes expanding routes into apprenticeships, providing more work experience opportunities, and increasing career engagement by 2035.
Key pledges include increasing defence apprenticeships to at least 14,000 young people by 2035 and expanding work experience placements and NEETs-related pathways by at least 25% by the same year. Industry will also implement a 'no-wrong-door' approach to consider suitable applicants for other opportunities within the supply chain.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the investment in defence spending is being used to create new opportunities for young people, addressing what he called a "moral emergency" of young people out of work or education. He added that creating skilled jobs in defence industries is essential for national safety.
The commitment precedes Alan Milburn’s Young People and Work report, expected in Autumn. An interim report highlighted work experience as crucial for young people to gain skills and confidence, noting a thinning of the first rung of the career ladder.