BAE Systems Opens £12 Million Shipbuilding Academy in Glasgow

BAE Systems has completed the construction of its new shipbuilding training facility in Glasgow.

The £12 million Applied Shipbuilding Academy at the company’s Scotstoun shipyard measures 5,500m² and is designed to develop the entire workforce – from new starts to senior leaders.

Set to be a key training facility for all apprentices and graduates in the firm’s naval ships business, it will also provide life-long learning and skills development activities for around 4,500 employees.

The academy comprises a modern trade hall and a flexible learning hub. The hall offers a hands-on training environment where learners are fully immersed in realistic ship mock-ups. The adjacent hub houses over 30 teaching spaces, a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) innovation lab, an exhibition area, and conference space.

Paul Feely, academy and engineering director at BAE Systems’ Naval Ships, said,

“The Applied Shipbuilding Academy is an extraordinary innovation centre that will enable outstanding learning across our entire workforce and help secure a strong future talent pipeline. Investing in our people and harnessing the latest technological advancements is fundamental to our mission, enabling us to deliver on the national endeavour that is the Type 26 programme and future projects. This commitment ensures that we can equip navies worldwide with a decisive competitive edge for generations to come.”