The Government has struck a deal with leading defence firms to provide jobs and work placements for tens of thousands of young people across Britain.
Under the agreement, firms including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Airbus will offer employment opportunities to 40,000 people aged 18 to 24 by the end of the decade, according to the Ministry of Defence.
That target is set to increase to 50,000 by 2035.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting put pen to paper alongside industry bosses at a London roundtable on Wednesday.
The initiative builds on a £182million defence skills package that the Government unveiled last year.
It also forms a central plank of ministers’ broader push to bring down youth unemployment.
Apprenticeship pathways into the defence sector will be widened under the scheme, with more work experience places made available.
Those who are unsuccessful in securing a role will be pointed towards alternative openings elsewhere in the industry.
Under the agreement, defence firms will offer employment opportunities to 40,000 people aged 18 to 24 by the end of the decade
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Mr Streeting said: “This Government has delivered the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, to strengthen our deterrence and defend against evolving threats.
“We are using that investment to create new opportunities for young people, both because it is a moral emergency that a million young people are out of work or education and because without creating good, well-paid, high-skilled jobs in defence industries, we cannot keep our country safe.”
Alan Milburn, who was tasked by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with heading the Government’s forthcoming review into worklessness, welcomed the announcement.
He described the agreement as mutually beneficial for both young workers and the defence industry.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting put pen to paper alongside industry bosses at a London roundtable on Wednesday
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PA
Mr Milburn said: “Every young person deserves a first chance into work, but for too many the first rungs of the career ladder have disappeared.
“Defence is one of our great industries it has both the scale and the opportunity to give young people the experience, skills and confidence they need to build a career.”
Mr Milburn added: “This commitment from industry and Government is exactly the kind of action that can change young people’s lives.
“It is a win-win. More opportunities for young people. A sustainable supply of skilled labour for industry. It shows what is possible when employers step up.”
Alan Milburn described the agreement as mutually beneficial for both young workers and the defence industry
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PABAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn also backed the initiative.
He stressed the importance of opening doors for the next generation whilst bolstering Britain’s industrial capabilities.
Mr Woodburn said: “As the UK’s largest defence company, we’re committed to providing opportunities for young people from all backgrounds, offering them meaningful and rewarding careers, whilst strengthening the UK’s industrial skills base.”
“Expanding pathways into defence will help to attract the breadth of talent needed to deliver the next generation of military equipment, from fighter jets and submarines to cyber, space and drone capabilities, enabling our outstanding armed forces to keep Britain safe.
“With technology developing at an unprecedented pace and global threats evolving rapidly, there’s never been a more important time to join our sector.”
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