Now the Submarines trio will have to wait for results from the other six regional SkillWeld 2012 semi finals to see whether they go through to the UK final at The Welding Institute inCambridgein April. The 10 highest scoring semi-finalists go through – and finalists may have the opportunity to progress to the World Skills International competition in Leipzig,Germany, in 2013. 

Participation in the semi-final was by invitation, based on results from heats staged at the entrants’ workplace or college.  Craig, Tom and Lyndon were invited to the semi-final at Deeside College after making the grade in a heat at the Joe Murphy Welding Centre of Excellence – they are pictured receiving their certificates from Operations Director Alan Dunn. Vouchers for the winning trio were supplied by safety wear supplier Arco. 

In order to train for the demanding semi-final test pieces, the trio had to practice both pipe and structural welding, under the watchful eye of Craig Williams and Col Smith in the Pipe Shop training school and of Joe Murphy and Malky McCann on the structural side. The tests featured pipe welding using Manual Metal Arc and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) techniques and plate fillet welding using TIG and Metal Active Gas techniques. In the tests the marks of the Barrow trio were so close they had to be re-checked by the judges. 

Mike Willetts, Welding Training Assessor, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by Craig, Tom and Lyndon, and a real testament to the skills within this business. We put Lyndon in for it because he is so keen and has done everything asked of him since joining the business. I believe they all have a very good chance of getting through to the final.”

For more information, please contact:

Martin Hebbert, BAE Systems

Tel: +44 (0)1229 873456 Mob: +44 (0) 7793426078

Martin.hebbert@baesystems.com

Neil Lauderdale, BAE Systems

Tel: (01229) 875714 Mob: 07525 391013

Neil.lauderdale@baesystems.com

 Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com

“BAE Systems has delivered a robust underlying performance in a challenging business environment. This has enabled the board to increase the dividend by 7.4%, in addition to the £2.2bn returned to shareholders in the past two years. The Group’s strategy has established a resilient platform for the future as we grow our international, cyber and electronics businesses and drive value from our positions in the services sector and on key programmes.”

Ian King, Chief Executive, BAE Systems

HIGHLIGHTS

The Group has delivered a robust underlying performance in a challenging business environment  

• Headline sales £19.2bn
• Underlying EBITA £2.0bn  
• Underlying earnings per share 39.7p excluding R&D tax benefit
• Net debt £1.4bn
• Dividend per share 18.8p
• Returned £2.2bn to shareholders over the past two years

Our strategy is focused on supporting our customers and driving shareholder value

• Grow our international business
• Develop our Cyber, Intelligence and Security, and Electronics Systems businesses in both civil and defence
• Drive value from platform and services positions

We remain well positioned in our home markets and have a large number of international export opportunities

• We have a geographically diverse sales mix and broad customer base
• Well positioned on key platform programmes – Typhoon, F-35, submarines, naval ships and armoured vehicles

Customer affordability remains key

• We will continue to drive efficiencies within our business to ensure we are competitive

BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines

BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines, employing approximately 5,000 people, reports the following highlights for the period: 

• UK Government approval of the Initial Gate phase in the programme to design a replacement for the Vanguard Class submarines.
• First of class Astute submarine, HMS Astute, successfully completed its first test firing of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles during operations in America.
• Second of class Astute submarine, Ambush, dived for the first time during trials at BAE Systems’ site inBarrow-in-Furness– proving both the submarine’s safety and stability in water.
• The keel was laid for the fifth Astute class submarine, Anson, by Gerald Howarth MP, Minister for International Security Strategy. The ceremony marked the transition of the submarine’s construction from fabrication of the pressure hull units to full construction.
• In 2012 we aim to recruit 280 permanent new employees, the majority of which are:
• 100 professional engineers
• 30 designers
• 30 test and commissioning engineers
• 50 project managers

John Hudson, Managing Director of Submarines, said:

“We have witnessed significant progress across the submarine programme in the last 12 months, with a number of notable successes.

There is now a greater degree of stability and our performance against key milestones continues to improve on previous years.

The Successor programme to design a replacement for the Vanguard Class is gaining momentum and to that end one of the business’ key objectives for 2012 remains the recruitment of professional engineers.”   

Global Combat Systems  

• BAE Systems Global Combat Systems’ three businesses continue to perform well with its Munitions and UK Weapons businesses benefitting from stable, long-term order intake. Its Vehicles business is well into the production phase of the Terrier armoured engineer vehicle atNewcastle, while Vehicle support activities are being consolidated atTelford, to create an efficient and highly skilled through life support business providing a high quality service for the UK MoD and overseas customers.
• Weapons, employing around 380 people at Barrow and 400 in Sweden, has produced more than 880 of its highly-regarded M777 howitzers for the US, Canada and Australia. An £87m order for 70 guns in June took the order book to 1071 guns.

Charlie Blakemore, Managing Director of Global Combat Systems, said:  

“The M777 programme is a greatUKsuccess story. The gun was designed at Barrow using company funding and the programme has contributed more than £1bn to theUKeconomy.”

For further information, please contact:

Neil Lauderdale, BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines

Mob: +44 (0)7525 391013

Neil.lauderdale@baesystems.com

Mike Sweeney, BAE Systems Global Combat Systems

Mob: +44 (0)7801 716452

Mike.sweeney@baesystems.com

Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com

UK First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope and US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert, both former submariners, staged an historic first undersea meeting to see the latest underwater capability of the fleets they command.

They saw “cat and mouse” war scenarios played out during The Fellowship 2012 exercise at AUTEC (Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Centre) in theUSas the two crews tested their boat’s capabilities as both hunter and hunted.

Admiral Greenert said: “With the Royal Navy getting together with the US Navy you have the best out there operating together with cutting edge technology and cutting edge tactics, and that’s important for each of us to see what we’re made of.”

Admiral Stanhope added that the sharing of training resources and responsibilities, in the form of each nation’s newest fleet submarines, showed a deep sense of confidence and trust between the two strategic partners.

HMS Astute’s Commanding Officer, Commander Iain Breckenridge, said that he was honoured to host both service chiefs during the Fellowship exercise and equally proud to showcase the performance of his boat and crew.

He added the exercise enabled the brand new Astute class to be operationally tested and proven “against a very capable and very proven submarine, the Virginia class

Nigel made the announcement at the start of National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 February 2012) – a national initiative which raises the profile of apprenticeships in the UK. The Company has around 1,000 apprentices in training in its three year apprenticeship programme, which has one of the highest completion rates in the engineering sector and was rated Grade 1 – ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED in July 2010. BAE Systems also currently holds the National Apprentice Award for the Macro Employer of the Year.

The numbers of apprentices required at Barrow-in-Furness are necessary to maintain skills unique to the maritime sector and to build all seven nuclear-powered Astute Class submarines. Barrow-in-Furness, which is the UK’s only submarine building yard, is also preparing for Successor – the replacement submarine to the Vanguard Class which is currently scheduled to enter service in 2028. In May 2011, the UK Government gave approval for the early design phase for the programme.

The remaining 129 apprenticeship roles will be located in the Company’s military aircraft business based in Lancashire, its maritime businesses at Portsmouth, Hampshire and Glasgow, Scotland and at its electronics business in Rochester, Kent.

Nigel said: “Our apprenticeship programme creates a pipeline of exceptionally talented young engineers who are critical to the long term future of BAE Systems. In tough economic times it is even more important that businesses plan for the long term and continue to invest in skills and developing talent in the workplace.”   

Apprentice training is a key element of BAE Systems Skills 2020 programme, which represents the Company’s commitment to ensuring it has the right skills to remain competitive and operate successfully in theUK over the next decade, into 2020 and beyond. BAE Systems invests more than £79M per annum in theUK in education and schools activity, university partnerships and training and development for employees.

Both fixed and portable systems got the green light from Maritime Capability, Trials and Assessment (MCTA) with such minimal defects recorded that no re-inspection will be required before Ambush departs.

 This is the result of close teamwork between a number of BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines sections and Ship’s Staff and MOD personnel. This was impressive enough to earn the combined team a PRIDE recognition award.

 The team was led by Principal Project Engineer Mark Widnall, who did the same job on first-of-class Astute – and that made a big difference.Mark said: “We took the knowledge and learning from Boat 1 and used it to enable Boat 2 to run a lot smoother. Astute needed an intermediate and final inspection of the systems, and Ambush just one, with a low volume of defects of a minor nature only.”

 The dedicated team, combining Production, Supply Chain, Engineering, Commissioning and Acceptance as well as Royal Navy and MOD, met weekly to monitor progress and make sure everything was completed.

 Mark said: “It was an excellent effort from everybody, with good communication between all the people involved. Really good teamwork drove it through.”The Naval Authority will produce a formal fire certificate before Ambush sails, but Ship’s Staff can move on board safe in the knowledge that fire fighting systems are fully fit for purpose, should they be required.

The Awards recognise excellence in the workplace and academic study and an Award is also made for work in the community. BAE Systems is one of the largest employers of apprentices in theUKwith 1,000 in training. In 2012 it will be recruiting a further 265.

Twenty-year-old Tom joined BAE Systems in 2008, completed his apprenticeship in October 2011 and is now studying for a foundation degree in Business Management atFurnessCollegewith the Company’s support.

Tom works as a steelworker on Audacious, the fourth boat of the Astute Class of submarines being built for the Royal Navy at Barrow.

He said: “I’m speechless to have won and this feels brilliant! I’m going to continue with my degree but I also really want to stay in steelworking so I’ll be working towards a management position.

“I was quite surprised to be honest. I really didn’t expect to win because you are competing against the best of the best across the country. It was so surreal.

“I’m very proud to have won. It is such a prestigious award because you are competing against so many other apprentices who also deserve to win. It was the final award and I didn’t even expect to be nominated, let alone win. I was half way through my drink when they read my name out, and then everyone was looking at me!”

Submarines Managing Director John Hudson said: “On behalf of everyone at Submarines, I’d like to congratulate Tom on a fantastic personal achievement. The work that Tom and his fellow apprentices undertake across the submarine programme is absolutely vital to the business, not just at present but more importantly for the future, and it’s fantastic that he’s been recognised in this way.”

Elaine Hebden, Centre Coordintor for the apprentice programme and a member of the onsite Xchanging team, also made it a double for Submarines by winning an award for her support and contribution to the apprentice scheme.

Alongside the overall winner, a further eight awards were made with apprentices from Lancashire winning four awards: From Samlesbury, Sam Andrews won the Community Achievement Award and Nichola Mitchell won the Business Administration Achievement Award. Jenny Westworth from Warton won both the Academic Commitment and Technical Achievement Awards.

From Brough inYorkshire, Stephanie Steels won the Craft Mechanical Achievement Award and Dave Waslin won the Business Unit Achievement Award.

John Church, a BAE Systems apprentice from RAF Marham won the Craft Electrical Achievement Award and David Crawford from Govan inScotlandwon the Craft Fabrication Achievement

Presenting the Awards, Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director at BAE Systems, added:“Our 1,000 apprentices are critical in ensuring the Company maintains a pool of engineering and business talent. Many of BAE Systems’ senior managers started as apprentices and I’d thoroughly recommend the training programme as a career option.

“I congratulate all of our nominees and award-winners, and wish them the best in their careers.”

Through its Skills 2020 programme, BAE Systems invests more than £79M per annum in theUKin education and schools activity, university partnerships and training and development for employees including apprentices and graduates. Skills 2020 represents BAE Systems’ commitment to ensuring it has the right skills to remain competitive and operate successfully in theUKover the next decade, into 2020 and beyond.

Not only that, but she has the makings of a future champion; her work has so impressed her BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines instructors that they plan to train her up to enter welding competitions later in the year. Welding Instructor Malky McCann said: “For a 17-year-old she is brilliant – the standard of Micha’s work is excellent. She is a real trail blazer!”

So what prompted an ambitious female school leaver, a year or so ago, to pick up the welding torch? Micha said: “I actually applied to come into the yard as an electrician, but didn’t get it. I got onto an engineering course at the localFurnessCollegeto gain more knowledge about what I was going to do, but when I got there I decided I didn’t enjoy electrical work.”  The students spent four weeks on each of mechanical, pipe fitting, welding and electrical – and Micha found she had a natural welding ability. I found I performed stronger in welding, that was what I was best at, and I enjoyed it. I chose welding to get my NVQ (National Vocational Qualification).”

At the end of her course, Micha reapplied with Submarines as a welder, bringing with her a sample of her work, both practical and written, and was promptly taken on last September. She began to train as a structural welder – and her test pieces have impressed all who have seen them. Malky said: “She has done every type of structural welding – down hand, vertical, horizontal and overhead – all 100 per cent X-rayed and UT’d (ultra sonically tested) and without a doubt she is good enough for welding competition.”

Micha gets on well with her peers, but she does find her mates are a bit bemused. “I like going out, and that means that I get quite dressed up, with the eyelashes and extensions, and they find it a bit weird that I come in here and dress down into boots and overalls!” She certainly hopes others will follow in her footsteps. “Welding is stereotypically a man’s job, but if people realise girls can do it as well, or even better, why wouldn’t they want to take it up?”

Phil Burns, a Senior Engineering Manager at the company’s Submarines division in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was honoured for his services to the defence industry having spent 38 years working at the shipyard.

 It is the second successive year that someone from BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s honours after Welding Training Instructor Joe Murphy was also awarded the MBE in 2011.

 The 54-year-old engineer said: “I am deeply proud and honoured to have received this award. It is not only an acknowledgement for myself, but for the teams that I have worked with over the years. To be recognised in such a way for doing a job that I enjoy is indeed an honour and has come as a big surprise.”  

 He began his career as a craft apprentice in 1973, after which he undertook various engineering positions, culminating in his current role on the Vanguard submarine replacement programme.

Highlights have included being part of the team that masterminded the company’s transition to computer aided design (CAD), and the introduction of the first enterprise CAD system into the design offices, on which Astute later became the first UK submarine to be designed in its entirety.

John Hudson, Submarines Managing Director, added: “On behalf of everyone at BAE Systems I would like to extend my congratulations to Phil on the awarding of his MBE. This is a tremendous personal honour and extremely well deserved.

“Phil has made an outstanding contribution to engineering on both the Astute and CVF (Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier) programmes.”    

He also enjoyed a spell on the Upholder class diesel-electric submarines, now the Canadian Victoria class, followed by work on first-of-class Trident deterrent submarine HMS Vanguard, which he was with until handover to the Royal Navy.

After managing a team of engineers providing support to Barrow-built Auxiliary Oiler and Landing Platform Dock ships, he joined the Astute submarine team in 2003 before moving on to the aircraft carrier programme.  As Engineering Manager, his responsibility was to interface with BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships and other alliance yards to co-ordinate delivery of the Barrow element of the design, which was lower block 03. That programme was completed in June 2011.