Security cleared jobs news roundup: January 2023
We’re rounding up some of the biggest security cleared stories of the past few weeks. In January, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) increased its expenditure in Scotland, 100 new security jobs were created at Sizewell C, a contract for three new Royal Fleet Auxilliary ships commenced and hundreds of new apprentices joined Sellafield Ltd.
Increase to Scottish spending in UK annual defence procurement
MoD expenditure in Scotland has risen to £2.01 billion, now the equivalent of £370 per person. The new figures emphasise the Prime Minister’s ambition to create new job opportunities across the UK, according to the government.
Scottish secretary Alister Jack commented: “Nothing is more important than defending our country. But these figures also show defence spending contributes significantly to delivering high-skilled jobs and investment in Scotland, not least through shipbuilding at which we are a world leader.”
Construction is underway on five new Type 31 Royal Navy frigates at Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard, sustaining roughly 2,500 jobs across the project, as well as creating over 100 apprenticeships. MoD expenditure directly sustains over 140,000 jobs across the UK, with an additional 78,000 indirectly supported.
Over 100 new jobs at Sizewell C nuclear power plant
Security firm G4S has been awarded a £4.3 million interim contract by EDF to protect the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, a £20 billion project on the coast of Suffolk. The two-reactor plant was approved last year, with the government set to become a 50 per cent shareholder.
Alistair McBride of G4S said it is “committed to securing the UK’s critical national infrastructure”. The new roles will include managing site access, surveillance, vetting employees, incident management reporting and monitoring the perimeter of the nuclear power plant.
Three new Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships to be delivered in 2032
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is set to receive three new ships in a £1.6 billion contract awarded to Team Resolute - comprising BMT, Navantia UK and Harland & Wolff. The contract includes replacement jet engines, ammunition, spare parts and provisions to support naval operations far away from the UK.
The currently unnamed ships highlight a significant investment in British shipbuilding, including the creation of 1,200 jobs and approximately 800 additional positions across the UK supply chain. Defence secretary Ben Wallace added: “Creating jobs and prosperity, Team Resolute is bringing shipbuilding back to Belfast.”
Revamping the two yards involved and upskilling workers will commence immediately. Production of the ships is set to start in 2025, with delivery scheduled for 2032.
Sellafield celebrates its highest apprentice recruitment yet
January 2023 saw the return of National Apprentice Week and Sellafield Ltd attracted 300 new starters across a varied range of career pathways. This takes its investment in the new generation to 2,200 apprentices over the last decade.
Sellafield Ltd is one of the top 100 large apprentice employers in the UK. Copeland MP Trudy Harrison noted: “Sellafield continues to break records on its amazing recruitment, training and development of its young people that is a real boost for the future of the nuclear industry.”
The project management apprenticeship programme has passed its ten-year anniversary, having created 59 project management professionals with a further 57 enrolled on the scheme.
