BAE Systems Submarines has ramped up the support it provides to the communities in which it operates.

Focusing on Barrow and Cumbria, but with significant contributions elsewhere in the UK, the company has more than maintained its commitment to invest in people and places, as well as submarine manufacturing.

The company produced its first Social Impact Report last year, covering to the end of 2021. The second report, encompassing all of 2022, demonstrates increases in activities including education, early careers, environmental, supply chain and community investment.

Janet Garner, BAE Systems Submarines Future Workforce Director, said: “We have continued to increase and enhance the breadth and depth of our support, constantly exploring how we can utilise every aspect of our business to bring about a lasting social, economic and environmental legacy.”

A significant uplift was seen in the provision of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) outreach programmes. The company’s STEM Ambassadors get three days-a-year for outreach work supporting young people in schools and colleges. The number of hours support provided leapt from 497 in 2021 to 1691 in 2022.

Aside from education, the company supported 90 community events and initiatives in 2022. In Barrow that included Festival of Colours, the Love Barrow Awards and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

BAE Systems Submarines’ footprint and impact around its core site in Barrow is increasing significantly; its workforce is set to increase from the present 12,000 to 17,000 by the 2030s.

The company has bought and is redeveloping Barrow town centre retail units that will be used as training and outreach facilities for the benefit of the town and Furness peninsula.  The first phase of the campus is set to open later this year, focusing on careers and employability skills in the local area.  It is also supporting the building of a University of Cumbria campus on its Barrow site, and will shortly be promoting courses for the 2024/25 academic year to attract and retain talented graduates in areas such as advance manufacturing, business management, project management, computer science and supply chain.  This fills a higher education gap which currently exists in the local area.

Janet said: “We have a range of exciting developments under way in Barrow. Our Social Impact Report demonstrates that we are continuing to deliver on day-to-day community support activities at the same time. The report helps us understand exactly where that assistance has been directed and will help us maintain our commitment to providing continuing support in the future.”

You can view the 2022 Social Impact report in full here: Our social and economic impact in Barrow-in-Furness | Feature | BAE Systems